GWT: Champions League Semifinals

[Savant]

Tuesday 27 April

Real Madrid x Chelsea

Wednesday 28 April

PSG x Man City

Tuesday 4 May

Man City x PSG

Wednesday 5 May

Chelsea x Real Madrid

Click to read more...

 

[Savant]

Fun fact:

this is the first time in Champions League history that all four teams have have either a fine and/or transfer ban related to FFP

FFP = LOL

 

[Evilo]

I think Chelsea and Real's ban weren't related to FFP.

 

[robertmac43]

PSG v Real for me, with PSG taking home the trophy.

 

[DrMartinVanNostrand]

Going with Manchester City vs. Real Madrid in the final, and #14 for Real once they get there. Something about them this season has been mesmerizing. They have seven losses this season across all competitions. Those losses?

0-1 vs. Cádiz (12th in La Liga)
4-1 vs. Valencia (13th)
1-2 vs. Alavés (19th)
1-2 vs. Levante (9th)

2-3 vs. Shakhtar
2-0 vs. Shakhtar

2-1 vs. Alcoyano (5th place in Segunda División B)

2-1 vs. Athletic Club (11th) in the Spanish Super Cup

Except for Levante, all those losses came either to an unheralded CL side, or lower half teams in Spain. The majority of them at home as well, though of course that doesn't mean as much this year as it would in a normal year (even more in a season where Real is playing away from the Bernabéu). But when they've played marquee teams?

1-3 and 2-1 vs. Barcelona
2-0 and 1-1 vs. Atletico
1-0 vs. Sevilla
3-2 and 0-2 vs. Inter
0-1 and 3-1 vs. Atalanta
2-0 and 0-0 vs. Liverpool

You can even throw in the win over Gladbach on the final Match Day of the group stage, as it was a must win game for them. Across their biggest games or biggest opponents, they are 9-2-0 this season. f***ing incredible. How do you bet against that? I can't. They're besieged by injuries and continue to churn out wins against tough opponents. The mental fortitude of that team is second to nobody. They've found their way this far. I'm not expecting them to go home now.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

If city goes to the final they win it. Imo

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Pep is gonna try and play 8D chess to deal with Neymar and Mbappe and it's gonna backfire, IMO.

 

[Evilo]

Pep is gonna try and play 8D chess to deal with Neymar and Mbappe and it's gonna backfire, IMO.

Exactly my thoughts. If Lyon's midfield gave him some nightmares (and in some ways, produced the loss), imagine dealing with the giant 2.

 

[hatterson]

I think Chelsea and Real's ban weren't related to FFP.

Yea I don’t recall Real’s but Chelsea’s was related to youth players.

 

[NorCalhockey]

I just want Christian Pulisic to win trophies in Europe. C'mon double - Champions League & FA Cup titles for Chelsea, please! [Well, actually, for CP10, since I don't care about Chelsea].

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Pavels burner account?

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Alright folks, it's frickin game day. And this Chelsea team has what it takes to beat anyone - we saw that last week against City. I'm actually feeling pretty good about our chances, I think it's gonna be a tight and cagey tie. Admittedly, I'd be more confident if we had Kovacic fit, who I think is a better fit for this match-up in midfield against Kroos and Modric than Jorginho is. But so it goes. Think the lineup looks like this:

Havertz
Mount - Ziyech
Chilwell - Kante - Jorginho - James
Rudiger - Silva - Azpi
Mendy

 

[robertmac43]

Pavels burner account?

 

[Power Man]

Pep is gonna try and play 8D chess to deal with Neymar and Mbappe and it's gonna backfire, IMO.

That's the problem

IMHO he should just stick with his winning lineup, they have a good momentum right now
If he comes out with a weird lineup on Wednesday he'S gonna f*** their chemistry up

 

[Blender]

Alright folks, it's frickin game day. And this Chelsea team has what it takes to beat anyone - we saw that last week against City. I'm actually feeling pretty good about our chances, I think it's gonna be a tight and cagey tie. Admittedly, I'd be more confident if we had Kovacic fit, who I think is a better fit for this match-up in midfield against Kroos and Modric than Jorginho is. But so it goes. Think the lineup looks like this:

Havertz
Mount - Ziyech
Chilwell - Kante - Jorginho - James
Rudiger - Silva - Azpi
Mendy

Probably a pretty good guess for the lineup, I wouldn't be surprised if that is it.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Probably a pretty good guess for the lineup, I wouldn't be surprised if that is it.

Only one I'm unsure about is Ziyech. Could be Werner, Puli, or CHO if he thinks that we're probably not gonna have control of the midfield and will be looking to break instead.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Madrid could go through based on experience alone but their recent form does leave a lot to be desire. Still should get the job done here.

 

[Blender]

Only one I'm unsure about is Ziyech. Could be Werner, Puli, or CHO if he thinks that we're probably not gonna have control of the midfield and will be looking to break instead.

With the players we have up front we should be playing to break the back line every game, but we rarely do.

 

[Evilo]

That's the problem

IMHO he should just stick with his winning lineup, they have a good momentum right now
If he comes out with a weird lineup on Wednesday he'S gonna f*** their chemistry up

Frankly, if Marquinhos really is back and PSG defends like they have in the CL, I can't see City winning this matchup. That City D against Mbappe and Neymar? Ouch.

 

[AB13]

Im really worried Chelsea could do well against Real Madrid tonight. Real Madrid lack goals in the team and runners in behind (apart from Vinicius). That could be a problem against a stable 3 at the back which is incredibly compact out of possession, doubt they can pounce on mistakes because Chelsea barely make errors playing out from the back. Chelsea (in classic Chelsea fashion) will suppress attacks from both sides and make it a boring game reliant on small margins.

 

[Evilo]

Imagine Perez winning the CL in front of Ceferin and UEFA?
Would be good if Perez wasn't even worse. All against Madrid.

 

[Power Man]

Frankly, if Marquinhos really is back and PSG defends like they have in the CL, I can't see City winning this matchup. That City D against Mbappe and Neymar? Ouch.

I agree, PSG's defense when healthy is far superior

City better keep that possession 99% of the time lol

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

I agree, PSG's defense when healthy is far superior

City better keep that possession 99% of the time lol

I wouldnt say its far superior tbh. City has had great defense this year.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Imagine Perez winning the CL in front of Ceferin and UEFA?
Would be good if Perez wasn't even worse. All against Madrid.

All against Perez, sure.

Not gonna cheer against RMCF because he is a scumbag. Like, you still cheer for PSG so, I'd expect you to understand

 

[Evilo]

I wouldnt say its far superior tbh. City has had great defense this year.

Vastly. That central D duo at PSG is huge.