UEFA Champions & Europa League 2014-15 Season Thread

[Fernando]

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All places to talk Champions & Europa League  football for this season  

Champions League Round of 16 Draw

PSG vs Chelsea
Man City vs Barcelona
Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid
Juventus vs Dortmund
Schalke vs Real Madrid
Shaktar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich
Arsenal vs Monaco
Basel vs Porto


Arsenal - Monaco
Celtic - Inter Milan
Chelsea - PSG
Everton - Young Boys
Hull - OUT
Liverpool - OUT of CL dropped into Europa League - Besiktas
Man City - Barcelona
Man Utd - Swansea 21st February (It's about as close to European football as your getting this year) 
Tottenham - Fiorentina

[Gerry SA]

Cesc Fabregas a passenger in European football, pretty much lead to his exile for the Camp Nou. 

Edinson Cavani top class, would suit the PL.

[Duty281]

Bayern down to ten, Xabi Alonso second yellow.

Still 0-0.

[Fernando]

PSG denied a penalty.

[JDizzle]

Decent enough result. Back Chelsea to do enough at home.

[Mad for Chelsea]

good result that, PSG are a pretty decent outfit at home, but don't travel so well. Backing Chelsea to do the business at home. Refereeing was a bit odd. Blew up a lot but seemed to leave his cards at home, until Ivanovic's rugby tackle. Verratti could certainly have been booked at least once or twice before he eventually was.

Didn't see any of the Bayern match, but not a hugely impressive result from them. Anyone with a summary?

[Guest]

Anyone with a summary?

I heard LiamB was streaming the Bayern game, should be posting soon with his summary of the game & his expert opinion on where it leaves the tie.

[Mad for Chelsea]

TBH can't see Bayern not going through, they're strong at home (despite the odd blip) and Shaktar certainly don't travel well. Would still have expected them to stamp their authority on the tie a bit more though.

Some interesting tactics from PSG. They used the long pass (both diagonal, and into Ibra) to good effect throughout, and thought Chelsea looked a little vulnerable down the flanks. They also clearly decided the best way to stop Hazard was to stick to him like glue and foul him if he ever looked like building up a head of steam. I guess it worked, but with a firmer ref (particularly in the first half) things might have been different.

[Guest]

I didn't stream it, I was switching between both games, but it was an awful game in Ukraine to be honest. Only two attempts on target all night, once Xabi Alonso got sent off, it just petered out into a draw. In my expert opinion, Shakhtar will rue not taking advantage of the numerical advantage & will no doubt be picked off in Germany with ease in the deciding second leg. Wasn't a great game at all, disappointing.

As for Chelsea, good job done. 1-1 sees them in control still iif the tie. From what I saw, Costa was not match sharp & Cesc was recovering from illness, so Chelsea lacked that edge.

[Mad for Chelsea]

I've said it before, but part of the problem with the "away goal" rule is that it leads to some very cagey first leg ties. Rather than encourage the away team to attack, it makes the home team fearful to overcomit, and with the away team convinced they can get the job done at home - particularly at this stage where they are meant to be stronger - results in a fair few pretty boring first legs.

My gut feeling is that PSG were playing a Chelsea side some way below their best - partly for the reasons Liam identifies - but failed to really stamp their authority on the match, and thus the tie, as they maybe could have done.

Have to hope Arsenal aren't so fearful in their tie (not holding out much hope for Man City TBH...)

[Duty281]

The away goals rule needs to be scrapped.

It was introduced for a bygone era in which conditions were most arduous for travelling teams; the away goals rule was a way of restoring the balance.

There is no need for that anymore.

[monty junior]

I agree those games were diabolical!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Well, that clip with Chelsea fans on the metro is disgusting

[JDizzle]

It's absolutely hidious. What a disgrace.

[Guest]

Cracking goal by Marcelo to make it 2-0 to Madrid & to essentially end the tie

[Mad for Chelsea]

over in Basle, sounds like Clattenburg had an eventful game

According to the BBC short report he booked 8 players, controversially ruled out a Porto "equaliser" (doesn't say why, or indeed why it was controversial) and then gave them a late-ish controversial penalty for an apparent handball.

Madrid not surprisingly pretty much killing off the tie in the first leg, Schalke are really a pretty poor outfit.

[mystiroakey]

dont goggle young boys at wankdorf if you want some info on this team!!

Everton have started lively

[mystiroakey]

Best game so far of the week.

1-2 everton

[NickisBHAFC]

Those Chelsea "fans" been dealt with yet? 


Tottenham bossing it. 1-0 up. 

Celtic 1-0 down.

[FootballLight]

Not for long, 2-3 now, cracking game, but not good for Celtic.

Spurs at 1-1, not good at home. Liverpool 0-0 at home wouldn't be bad, but 1-0 is always a better scoreline. Everton are through. PSV will find it difficult, Aalborg very difficult, Roma and Torino are ifs and buts. That's just a quick summary of tonight, the rest I don't care about to be fair. (Apart from Wolsburg and Napoli )

[Liam]

Sturridge wasn't happy Balo took the pen off him. In fairness, if Mario is on the pitch he has to take the pen, coolness personified. Really irks me Sturridge, seems to have gone really big headed since his return. Besiktas have been decent tbh and will be a real tough game away from home. Can't help but feel Liverpool could do with a late second here.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Stevie Me talking rubbish on ITV about Balotelli being disrespectful taking the penalty off Henderson. Utter tosh

[Guest]

Henderson should of manned up & took control of the situation, poopie in the pants having to confront up to Balotelli. Expect behind the scenes the situation or rift will be worse than you think, Mario needs to go in the summer, just for the good of the club, the rest of the squad dynamic & it's image going forward. Typical Mario incident though tonight, it's just a solo mission with the lad & he doesn't care how he achieves it or who he pi**es of on the way. Good result though lol.

[mystiroakey]

I think it's quite obvious the number 1 proven striker should take the penalty. And that is 100% not Mario.

This will know cause a lot of friction between the two and hendo shows he isn't captain material ..

Mario needs to leave

[hampo17]

Makes more sense to have the best penalty taker take the penalties, just because you're the number one doesn't mean you're good at taking penalties.

[mystiroakey]

You are telling me Sturridge isn't good at penalties?

Mario doesn't even start games. So how is he the pen taker. Gerrard is no.1 and allways has been..

[hampo17]

I'm saying that based over the course of their careers you could argue that Mario is a better penalty taker.

[liverbnz]

1. Henderson is captain elect, why didn't he pull rank?

2. Why is Henderson on penalties anyway? His finishing is pretty woeful and his set-pieces are even worse.

3. Balotelli is brilliant at penalties, his record speaks for itself - he should be penalty taker any time Gerard is not on the pitch.

4. We won, who cares.

[liverbnz]

Mysti - Sturridge missed his last one and doesn't really take them. He wasn't even mentioned by Rodgers in the post match as a potential pen taker. You pick your best pen taker available at the time IMO, if that's the GK then so be it.

[mystiroakey]

I'm saying that based over the course of their careers you could argue that Mario is a better penalty taker.

How?

Sturridge has never even taken one that I can remember due to Gerard.. And mario needs to calm down and stop acting a fool just because he scored one pl goal in a year. Sturridge is a bonfire starter. Mario will never be or will leave the club. Gerrard leaves next year. Therefore they need a new pen taker. That will be Sturridge. It would be stupid to give it to a bench warmer.

[hampo17]

Have you seen Marios penalty stats? He's missed about three in his entire career, Sturridge has never struck me as a confident penalty taker and if you have someone who is as good at them as Gerrard or Balotelli on the pitch they take it, it's pretty simple.

Imagine if Mario steps aside, Sturridge takes it and misses then the game finishes 0-0 and everyone moans that Mario should have been more assertive and taken the penalty, the lad can't win with some people.

[mystiroakey]

How many has Sturridge missed??

He has rarely ever taken one..

[hampo17]

More importantly how many has he scored, he missed his one and only penalty last year after demanding it, peeing off Suarez in the process. Why didn't you kick up such a fuss then?

[lfc91]

Firstly, in my eyes mario was the best penalty taker on the pitch (throughout his career he hasn't missed many), and if I had a choice before hand for taking a pen without stevie on the pitch I would have chosen him

BUT

If he wasn't down to take them then he shouldn't! Henderson should have resolved the situation as he is our current vice captain and in all likelihood future captain. The situation never should have been allowed to get out of control. Obviously I don't know exactly what the situation was. For all we know mario being subbed on meant he was now number 1 for penalties. But hopefully it all gets resolved behind closed doors.

On a happier not, we won. Was concerned a draw my take away some of our momentum for our next 2 premier league games. Think 4 points minimum is a must if we hope to achieve top 4.

[mystiroakey]

So he has taken one in his carrer . And that's it, game over give it to the bench warmer who will be out in the summer. At a time when liverpool need to find a new one as Gerard is leaving.

Sturridge is one of the best finishers in the league. And based on many stats the best still in the league over the last couple of years.

If you don't think he can be a penalty taker then please use some logic over. 'He took one in his carrer and missed it'

[lfc91]

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mario-balotelli-numbers-behind-character-7648702

Just to clarify why I thought he was the best penalty taker, 26 in a row is fantastic.

[mystiroakey]

More importantly how many has he scored, he missed his one and only penalty last year after demanding it, peeing off Suarez in the process. Why didn't you kick up such a fuss then?

I probally did, or didn't because I probally didn't care. I only support liverpool in Europe!! But both players were huge contributors to the side. In this case mario isn't.

[hampo17]

I never said he took one in his career I said he took one last season. Stats do not lie, based on the stats available as posted above, Mario is a fantastic penalty taker, and it seems to be clear to 90% of people talking about this that he was the best penalty taker on the pitch.

It doesn't matter if you're a huge contributer to the side you're best penalty taker takes the kick, Mario based on their careers so far is the better penalty taker.

[hampo17]

The other part of the argument is why the hell is Jordan Henderson the penalty taker? He struggles to hit a 5 yard pass cleanly at times.

[mystiroakey]

What matters is that there was a bust up involving your players over it. Not what I or you think.. Now I was assuming mario grabbed the ball and hendo chickened out of passing it to Sturridge. Or if Sturridge did feel he should take the responsibility over balotteli , they do not get on. And if they do not get on.. The natural suspicion would be that is on mario as no one seems to like him.

[hampo17]

No, what matters is that the team won. Someone mentioned the other day about Cole and Sherringham not getting a long, didn't stop them and I highly doubt it will stop either of these. It has came out that Rodgers lets the captain take the penalty, if that's true I have no problem with Mario taking the penalty off Henderson.

[mystiroakey]

Ok fine you are the Liverpool fan. Not me. I see balotelli being a problem , as does 99% of the world . But your opinion is your opinion. Put it this way, I wouldn't take him if you paid us to have him..

[Stella]

Balotelli's actions would be fine if he was any good. Di-Canio done the same to Frank (let me be the hero) Lampard back in his west ham days. That I actually enjoyed.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

What I don't understand is why Stevie ME, a contracted player to Liverpool, is saying things like that on national t.v.

And he said about that Ibe thing as well.

He should be fined by the club for improper conduct

[Guest]

He didn't mince his words, that's for sure. Improper conduct????embarrassing. Thought it was refreshing hearing Gerrard talk like, I'm not sure he's too bothered about what Liverpool might do, they shafted him with the contract & he's leaving. When people like the owners & Rodgers are long gone, he'll still be the legend. Mario's a joke & everyone knows it, people defending him are the ones slating him week in week out, so fickle.

[Mad for Chelsea]

wasn't it Sturridge who missed the pen for GB in the shoot-out at the Olympics too?

[mystiroakey]

well I kind of jumped the gun on this. I am not sure if sturridge wanted to take it- however i would assume he wants to be the new pen taker when Gerard leaves..

It seemed like hendo was the no.1 pen taker and was going to take it but balottelli was just pleading and saying i have only ever missed 2 goals in 28 or whatever - but then i suppose worryingly - everyone at Liverpool including sturridge(at the time) , sterling and gerrard thought balottelli was being out of order by insisting he took the pen..

I suppose in a way he had a point as does hampo- The best should take the penalty. The problem is no one respects balotelli- and no one should use an excuse that Balotelli was only doing it for the team- To state that would suggest everyone else was arguing against the club and going against the team. We all know who works the hardest to win games and who doesn't at Liverpool.

But maybe just maybe- this will bring them all close together- Maybe this does show he cares- sometimes a lot of good can come from an argument and everyone can then get on the same page.

Balotelli is a quality striker- But no.9's dont exist any more- you need to be more all rounded. Most games all he does is try flick ons - he never holds play up or create space- he goes for the quick forward flick pass - which can be very effective- but rarely comes of for him and isnt allways the best option- It tells us he cant read a game and maybe allways just takes the laziest option- There is no point plying that flick ball if there isnt enough people infront to make a quick counter work- He needs to work on his hold up and all round game.

[Guest]

Last penalty I saw Sturridge take was against Everton when Gerrard gave him to the ball to complete a historic hat-trick...I have a wide screen tv and still don't know by how far the ball missed the goal....have they even found the ball yet?

Balotelli's penalty record made him an ideal candidate last night (as does Lambert's...at least it did before he missed one) and having watched the match last night I feared Sturridge would smash the ball across Stanley Park such was his desire to score.

I appreciate he's been out and wants to get back to scoring but his decision making left a lot to be desired last night. He wasn't the only one guilty of it either.

My biggest concern was the freekick right at the end of the match...against Palace, Balotelli took one from an almost identical position causing Lallana to score from the rebound. However last night Henderson takes the ball from Mario and smashes it into the wall when I would have thought there were better options. Thought it was Hendo getting his own back for the penalty and, as captain, it was a poor decision as you do what's best for the team.

Think Brendan needs to have a word.

[mystiroakey]

"Think Brendan needs to have a word."

If your team mates dont like you- that's on you to do something about it. Balotelli needs to do his up-most to fit in- and he needs to go overboard due to his past record.. Then these issues will not happen.

Balotelli is an italian international footballer that isnt wanted at any club in Italy. Even though Italy seems to be the go to place for 'wrong uns'

Ravel Morrsion is going there.

[Guest]

if you'd never seen liverpool before, judging from these posts, you'd think Mario is on a par with Messi & Henderson is at best, a league two player. never seen such fickleness. amazing how a couple of goals can change people's views on a player. you will disagree, but i see it similar to the fellaini at united situation, not in terms of disruptiveness, but in terms of him suddenly scoring & people changing their minds, when in fact you actually need mario/maroune to do worse, so they get out of those clubs & the teams can go forward. liverpool need mario removed for the good of the club & it's squad dynamic & united need rid of fellaini to change the style & progress away from this horrible football.

[Guest]

What a poopie debate, doesn't help when we have more scouse pundits opening their mouths, how many do we need? Gerrard said this back in August, 'I'm aware (Mario) he's a terrific penalty taker,' after scoring a penalty for Liverpool in their 3-0 win at Tottenham. 'I'm sure he'll get the chance to take some penalties for the club'. So to now start mouthing off & stating otherwise is a bit stupid, Gerrard himself, should know Henderson is not a proven penalty taker. Henderson has never taken pens & Mario is a proven penalty taker, in a tense situation, you go to your go-to man & that was Mario. His penalty record speak's for itself, nobody should be complaining really. All it showed is that Henderson is weak, never a leader, he couldn't take responsibility & man up & Mario obviously senses that weakness, in comparison to when Gerrard is on the pitch.

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