Wullie

There's no doubt that he has a habit of making strange team selections in big games. Apart from changing his midfield, Cancelo's been arguably their best player this season, a huge part of the way they've played, and didn't even get on the pitch.

1-1 I think, Ronaldo scored a header iirc.

They've given me £3 ffs. Think I might have Werner, 3 cards in his last 8, priced at 11/2. Probably with Kyle Walker if he starts.

This used to be the case in the 2000s when Mourinho and Benitez were around but when was the last time it happened? Almost every late stage European 2 legged tie now is a chaotic thriller.

But anyone who has watched the CL over the last 5-10 years knows that in practice this simply doesn't happen. In the past, yes, but as the best sides have become well oiled attacking machines, designed primarily to blow away domestic opposition every week, when they get into the late stages of European competition, it's simply become who can score the most, and the AG rule puts much more jeopardy into the situation, it's the only situation in football where 1 goal is the difference between victory and defeat.

This thread is spot on for why it's a bad idea. That 1 goal difference between defeat and victory is why the CL has been so exciting over the last few years as teams have become more attacking. I think if they do officially scrap it they'll quickly realise the mistake and reverse it.

I think this is a huge mistake. While I appreciate that the original reason the rule was introduced is largely moot, I think the really exciting European dramas we've seen over the last few years have been driven by the away goals rule. When the tie is in the balance, 1 goal between a winner and a loser, it creates urgency on one side and nerves on the other, in a way a potential draw simply doesn't. We'll see way more ties decided via penalties, and I just don't see that as any fairer as away goals, and it's substantially less dramatic on the field.

I hope Man City win purely because I can't stand this Chelsea side. Tuchel's 8 defenders I find crushingly dull.

Didn't they pay £40m for Jota after 2 PL seasons? Not sure he's the best example of some sort of hidden gem.

Which "already rated"(?) players has he robbed?

To take a club that had spent essentially its entire existence in the 3rd and 4th tiers of English football from bottom of the 4th tier on -17 points to established Premier League safety for several seasons, in the space of about six years, is one of English football's greatest ever achievements. And then because that tiny club then got relegated again eventually, the manager becomes a laughing stock to some people. Really gets my goat, and shows how in thrall some people are to the "Premier League/Sky/Big 6 etc" narrative that they claim to hate. Basically unless you're one of the world's best managers, in charge of a club with the resources to win everything all the time, you're shit.

Venezia promoted to Serie A.

What's the Villarreal story, did they have a load of money pumped in like Hoffenheim?

Didn't watch tonight, pointless when you know the result, well done to Man United. Inevitable they would win with fans back in the ground.

Lingard has performed for Southgate and England at a big tournament in the past, that'll be a huge factor in the decision, and I think that's fair enough.

Can see that on ITV in prime time before the end of the year tbf.

Hoping for more of this at Wembley.

It's whether or not the handball is by the player who scores I believe.

Winner. Card short on the 5/1 sadly.

Play offs have been where the value is over the last week. Got BTTS/2 cards each in the Morecambe game today at 12:30 at 5/1, watched the first leg and it was very open and very tetchy. Also got the double with the Newport game at 37/1. Playing this as well.

You're getting robbed there, current 365 price is 105/1. I've got it at 165/1.

Don't forget we're playing at home almost every game. That's a huge advantage.

We should be winning it, no excuses really.