Other games (2024/25)

[Pata]

Just now, Erikse said:

 

Why? Man City will surpass Club Brugge with a win, it doesn't matter.

 

Did I mention Man City?

[Erikse]

Just now, ponsaelius said:

 

It's just not true, very few have anything in particular to play for, and there is almost no jeopardy. At worst you end up still through in a play off anyway.

 

City are the only jeopardy and they'll get through anyway. They'd have also struggled in a group format this season anyway based on their form.

 

Exactly, as expected the top teams make it through with 8 games. With 6 games atleast PSG would have missed out. We'll see about Man City, but I'm pretty sure they'll win at home.

[Erikse]

3 minutes ago, Pata said:

 

Did I mention Man City?

 

Why is it a shame that PSG and Stuttgart are playing each other then?

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Erikse

[SteV]

 

With the exception of Man City, who will most likely win next week anyway, playing 8 games each to eliminate those bottom teams seems like ridiculous overkill.

[GeordieDazzler]

No one spotted a pretty full strength Bayern getting done 3-0 in Rotterdam? 

[The College Dropout]

Just now, ponsaelius said:

 

There's been a load of utterly inconsequential shite from what I've watched. Has had the air of regular season NBA. Nobody really particularly arsed because they're all guaranteed to progress in some form or another. Inter had their ressies out for the Arsenal game and rested for the weekend because it was basically done and dusted at MD4.

Compared to the old format?

 

The old format was awful. This is better. 

Like I said - far less ‘regular season NBA games’. Real, Bayern and City never have any issues in the old group stage. Only 1 of them likely to go straight into the R16. 

[Paully]

2 minutes ago, ponsaelius said:

 

It's just not true, very few have anything in particular to play for, and there is almost no jeopardy. At worst you end up still through in a play off anyway.

 

City are the only jeopardy and they'll get through anyway. They'd have also struggled in a group format this season anyway based on their form.

Not arsed about Man City and each to their own - I’ve enjoyed it much more and wish it was this format last season! 

[Pata]

2 minutes ago, Erikse said:

 

Why is it a shame that PSG and Stuttgart are playing eachother?

 

 

 

 

Do I have to answer?

[Geordie Ahmed]

Just now, Erikse said:

 

Exactly, as expected the top teams make it through with 8 games. With 6 games atleast PSG would have missed out. We'll see about Man City, but I'm pretty sure they'll win at home.

 

I really wouldn't be sure, if they only needed a draw then perhaps but needing to win and how fragile they were tonight I can see them struggling

 

Even if they win, they'll not get far in this competition anyway, the first half decent side knock them out 

[The College Dropout]

Avoiding the play offs for big clubs is a massive deal.  Making the play offs for smaller clubs is a massive deal. That’s a good balance of jeopardy. 
 

The KO rounds are seeded iirc. So the position of the table matters. Not just the R16 but the whole route is dependent on league finish. 

[SUPERTOON]

As long as Villa don’t finish top 8 it’s happy days.

[KaKa]

Just now, The College Dropout said:

Avoiding the play offs for big clubs is a massive deal.  Making the play offs for smaller clubs is a massive deal. That’s a good balance of jeopardy. 
 

The KO rounds are seeded iirc. So the position of the table matters. Not just the R16 but the whole route is dependent on league finish. 

 

I feel like the people that keep saying it's worse haven't even looked into how the whole thing works!

[ponsaelius]

'Theyre not straight into the last 16'

 

Yeah because they've basically made it a last 24 instead . 10 games before you've even got down to your last 16 is just ridiculous.

 

It's an expanded and bloated fixture list with watered down stakes, I can't see how it can be seen any other way.

[The College Dropout]

Just now, KaKa said:

 

I feel like the people that keep saying it's worse haven't even looked into how the whole thing works!

Or watched the games. Bayern vs Benfica was brilliant yesterday, PSG vs City excellent today 

[Erikse]

5 minutes ago, Pata said:

 

Do I have to answer?

 

Ofcourse not, because the only possible reason would be you thinking Man City going through with a win because of it. And now you pretend like that wasn't it.

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Erikse

[The College Dropout]

1 minute ago, ponsaelius said:

'Theyre not straight into the last 16'

 

Yeah because they've basically made it a last 24 instead . 10 games before you've even got down to your last 16 is just ridiculous.

 

It's an expanded and bloated fixture list with watered down stakes, I can't see how it can be seen any other way.

Definitely bloated.  But Real, Bayern, Juve, City, PSG, Dortmund will be going all out to win in the final group stage. That doesn’t usually happen. 

[Pata]

Just now, Erikse said:

 

Ofcourse not, because the only possible reason you thought it was a shame would be due to Man City going through with a win. And now you pretend like that wasn't it.

You’re too smart.

[Holloway]

played 7, not a fuck to give  before today, and afterwards

[KaKa]

Just now, The College Dropout said:

Or watched the games. Bayern vs Benfica was brilliant yesterday, PSG vs City excellent today 

 

Feyenoord's come back against Man City to draw. Looks like they battered Bayern tonight too.

 

Lille beating Real Madrid. Lille beating Atletico Madrid.

 

Sporting smashing Man City. Villa beating Bayern.

 

And I'm sure there's others. Been so many good matches.

 

 

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Gap to 3rd has closed slightly (was 1.813 before these round of games) but England still in a decent position

 

[ponsaelius]

The previous format was imperfect. I even said on here I was definitely willing to give something new a go. But this has just been pish. It's bloated American style play-off system crap designed to allow big clubs to rotate their enormous squads and keep everybody happy.

 

Trying to imagine us in this competition or one of the others next season with our current squad depth makes me (almost) want to finish 8th.

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by ponsaelius

[The College Dropout]

Chelsea moonwalking the Europa is a big help too. 

[The Bonk]

5 minutes ago, KaKa said:

 

Feyenoord's come back against Man City to draw. Looks like they battered Bayern tonight too.

 

Lille beating Real Madrid. Lille beating Atletico Madrid.

 

Sporting smashing Man City. Villa beating Bayern.

 

And I'm sure there's others. Been so many good matches.

 

 

 

 

This all could have happened theoretically in the old format, @KaKa.  

[The College Dropout]

2 minutes ago, ponsaelius said:

The previous format was imperfect. I even said on here I was definitely willing to give something new a go. But this has just been pish. It's bloated American style play-off system crap designed to allow big clubs to rotate their enormous squads and keep everybody happy.

 

Trying to imagine us in this competition or one of the others next season with our current squad depth makes me want to finish 8th.

Thats not been the reality though.  None of those big clubs I’ve named have rotated so far and they won’t rotate in the final game. 
 

The individual games feel like FA Cup games to me.

[The College Dropout]

Just now, The Bonk said:

 

This all could have happened theoretically in the old format, @KaKa.  

But it didn’t. Celtic go into the last game with a chance to qualify for the last 16 - already guaranteed for the play offs. Old format was shit for them.