[Football] The Champions League

[Steve in Japan]

I watched the Madrid match. It's like a soap opera, proper box office, sort of Eurotrash Jersey Shore. Flicks and tricks, elaborate turns, diving galore. And occasionally, brilliant football.

 

[Grombleton]

Do you think that ITV losing its (free to air) rights for CL football, led to the decline in interest in this country? When they aired it, most sports fans I knew tuned in.

Definitely the case for me - use to tune in regularly when it was on ITV but now i simply CBA to subscribe to it.

 

[Weststander]

I can't find the figures but the income of any Premier League team now must dwarf those of any Portuguese and most other European clubs these days, so I guess it's inevitable.

Very true, PL top 6 figures must smash all but: Barca, Real, Bayern, PSG, Juve, plus clubs with billionaire owners such as Monaco.

But on a CL thread on redcafe last night of all places, a Porto fan posted that their record ever CL home defeat had been by 2 goals. Until last night's 5. They may not have the huge money, but they've always had very good technical players including from Latin America, but excellent coach/managers.

 

[SK1NT]

Regardless of who you support surely watching the best club teams in Europe is a must for any fan who just enjoys the art and skill of football.

I find it odd people who just watch their own team and their own team only. Are you just supporting the team for the sake of it or is there a passion for the game?

 

[Mackenzie]

Porto 0 - 5 Liverpool happening in front of me on the TV right now. Incredible stuff from Liverpool - nice of them to bother to turn up tonight.

Great comeback from Spurs last night. 2-0 down at Juve, but come back to draw and sets it up for a cracking second leg at Wembley.

Man City beat some noddy side away handsomely last night too.

Have any of these things even had a mention on NSC over the past couple of days? Do Albion fans, as a fanbase, just not give a toss about the Champions League?

Not really that bothered, but given our run in it should be advantageous if these teams continue to do well in the CL.

 

[OzMike]

Glad to see that Ronaldo is taking scoring tips from GM.

 

[BevBHA]

Anyone questioning watching the champions league. Rewatch the Barcelona vs Bayern game from 2014/15 when Messi put Boeteng on his arse to make it 3-0.

Mesmerising game of the highest quality that I have ever seen. It is for this reason that football needs this competition to test the elite against the elite.

I personally always watch and support the English teams in Europe. This does not make me any less of an Albion fan I just feel it's a great feather in English footballs cap to have the European champions in our country, playing in our league.

 

[seagulls4ever]

Surprised by Chelsea's conservative tactics and change of formation tonight, especially at home. They are showing Barca far too much respect - they aren't as good as they used to be - have a bit more belief in your own players!

 

[seagulls4ever]

0-0 HT - Barca dominating possession, but Chelsea are looking more dangerous in attack, when they decide to. Hit the post twice.

 

[perseus]

Stats: https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...-Champions-League-2017-2018-Chelsea-Barcelona

Not an Englishman in sight. Two on the bench. I don't feel that I have any allegiances.

 

[Driver8]

Anyone else noticed the 2s are upside down on every shirt/shorts of Chelsea? Bit tinpot.

 

[seagulls4ever]

1-0 - fantastic finish by Willian.