Thread: Champion's League 2018/19

Originally Posted by cyrille

No shots on target. No movement. No width. No incision. No precision. No urgency. No suggestion of any kind of plan. In a season of largely terrible first halves from Manchester United this season, this had to be the very worst. It was ponderous and it was pedestrian; Michael Owen’s description of their performance as “very average” was very generous.

“It is Manchester United, professional players, and we want to do well,” Jose Mourinho had said on Tuesday, so we really should have known: this truly was Mourinho’s Manchester United, with as little dynamism as width. There was no change of pace to worry Valencia, no switch of play to find non-existent wide men and no defensive prowess to offer the slimmest of silver linings on a miserable night.

What’s worse? The notion that United players simply ignored Mourinho’s instructions, or the alternative scenario that he had actually instructed those players to occupy the middle ground, with Andreas Pereira and Juan Mata coming inside to join a wild party of five in the central midfield? There was no forward motion from the lamentable Marcos Rojo on the left, while Antonio Valencia was lucky to make it past the first ten minutes after a reckless tackle. So very narrow and so very easy to defend against.

As Valencia moved from one box to another in three passes, United took 13 passes to move forward less than two yards, like a live re-enactment of the Battle of the Somme but with mercifully fewer casualties. At half-time it was over to Mourinho to rouse this United side, to give them purpose and presumably a plan. Two minutes into that new plan – which now featured Ashley Young – Phil Jones produced his own piece of performance art, called ‘Phil Jones’, putting through his own net seven years after United’s last Champions League own goal, scored by Phil Jones.

This was truly dire. And remained largely dire even after the introductions of Marcus Rashford and then Jesse Lingard, though the former did at least produce United’s first shot on target after 72 minutes. That it was a weakly-struck effort from outside the area which bobbled through to the keeper as the England man fell down seemed apt.

It took until the 87th minute for Manchester United players to realise that they could carry the ball into the box, could exchange quick passes, could cross the ball from somewhere other than the corner flag. And they scored, the three substitutes combining to embarrass the pathetic starting XI. Then, having finally worked out the clearest route to goal, they almost claimed an undeserved equaliser as Valencia suddenly looked as ordinary as their league form suggests. It would have been a travesty.

If this was indeed an audition for Paul Pogba – as it was billed – ahead of Sunday’s visit to Liverpool then it is clear there will be no recall. There is zero chance of him or any of his fellow Valencia starters reprising their role at Anfield, unless injuries leave Mourinho with absolutely no option. Nobody was even whispering – never mind screaming – ‘pick me’ in the Mestalla.

The only case made was for a slew of January exits. If only anybody wanted this shower.

https://www.football365.com/news/thi...their-audition

West Brom, it’s just like watching West Brom.
Except they are unlikely to ever play outside England, even if the switch to playing rounders.
Cant wait for Friday night.

We've scored 10 goals more than a rather workmanlike Sheffield United team and are the most entertaining side in the division.

You obviously haven't been watching.

You're also on the wrong thread, dickhead.

^ how many more have you let in?

Up the Blades

The most entertaing team in that league are Bettyboo's Ipswich

You watch a lot of car crash videos on yt, right?

I see Manchester Dhabi wheeled out their token academy player for a spin in a dead rubber.

Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

i'll answer that for you, sunshine: loan spells.

Originally Posted by Dillinger

The most entertaing team in that league are Bettyboo's Ipswich

For the opposition supporters, perhaps...

We are shiteer than a bag of shite from shitesville. A bit similar to Newcastle then.

&, what's this Champion's League that people speak of???

Originally Posted by hallelujah

You're a damn sight more welcome in the Premiership than the likes of Fulham. They filled barely more than 2000 seats at Old Trafford the other week and that was pretty good for them.

Why don't you just admit the real issue is that they clog up the motorway and slow down your supporters club buses.

Not forgetting quaffing all the prawn sandwiches at Watford Gap services

Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

Not forgetting quaffing all the prawn sandwiches at Watford Gap services

And yours.

2nd Round up.

Schalke v Manchester City
Atletico Madrid v Juventus
Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain
Tottenham v Borussia Dortmund
Lyon v Barcelona
Roma v Porto
Ajax v Real Madrid
Liverpool v Bayern Munich

Neymar does his metatarsal and is out of the first (and hopefully 2nd) leg of the Man Utd game.

The super sub luck keeps striking, how long can it last?

Originally Posted by Luigi

Neymar does his metatarsal and is out of the first (and hopefully 2nd) leg of the Man Utd game.

Confirmed. Out of both legs. 10 weeks in total.


Now their watertight defense only needs to deal with Cavani and Mbappe.

Just read this stat about Paolo Maldini.

He played his entire career with AC Milan (obviously enough)


Only 2 teams have won the European Cup more times than Paolo Maldini.


One of them is AC Milan.

Big game for Utd and OGS tonight, i think they'll win and good luck to em.

They should be able to get 1, 2 or hopefully 3, if Pogba is really up for it and Martial and Rashford play well.

It will come down to their defense. You just can't trust that they won't suddenly have a howler.

Cavani out will help.

Originally Posted by Luigi

Cavani out will help.

And the bloke who likes playing roly poly, whats his name, the laughing stock in the world cup.

Without their forward line to push defences back they are nothing, should be OK ....

With Utds current run of luck i can see them banging four past PSG.

Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

With Utds current run of luck i can see them banging four past PSG.

There you go Chitty, a Utd front against the common enemy - fukin Frogs,lets give em the Agincourt finger....

Originally Posted by Chittychangchang

With Utds current run of luck i can see them banging four past PSG.

Well we know PSG are going 4-5-1 anyway...

What's the starting 11?

Hope there's no miraculous recovery surprises for the Super Sub and Co. ...

VAR for the first time tonight, why oh why can't Neymar be on - whats
the punishment for rolling around like a wanker when an opponent comes within 3 feet of you

I'm predicting all four English clubs progress to the quarter finals!

6-1 not a bad bet