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| 3 year(s) ago

Let's create a small community of football lovers out there. This thread intends to add value to our knowledge of the game and to hone our understanding about the game. Although football comes with banter, let us try to keep the discussion objective and civil to the maximum extent possible.

Both Messi and Ronaldo are the legends of the game. Period. So, please do not bring up this debate :)

jack_Sparrow,Neyawnand20 otherslike this

616 comments

commented 2 year(s) ago

@SergioRamos mate Pep bottled it with the lineup. When I saw the team sheet the first thought was: who’s going to protect that back 4. Pep was too adventurous with such an attacking lineup, definitely hasn’t learnt his lessons when he’s done the same thing in earlier knockout games, experimenting at this stage.

Chelsea were perfect tonight, Kante is a baller and Tuchel is a superb conductor, got the team to play with absolute perfection like his orchestra.

AzadHindFauz,SergioRamos

dwightschrute .

commented 2 year(s) ago

Thank you Chelsea. Kante is not human. Single-handedly shutting down that starry City midfield. That's 2 PLs, 1 UCL, 1 FA Cup, 1 Europa League and 1 World Cup for him - he'll go down as one of the greatest DMs in history. Pep continues his streak of over-thinking in knockouts.

Now we wait for Euros.

SergioRamos,Hansolo

commented 2 year(s) ago

Last season Pep was criticised for being too defensive against Lyon. Now for being too attacking. It is very easy to criticise team selection after a loss. Same thing happened with Spurs in 2019 when people asked why did Poch play Kane. I love how people start giving gyaan to one of the best managers of this generation.

commented 2 year(s) ago

necromancersaid
@SergioRamos mate Pep bottled it with the lineup. When I saw the team sheet the first thought was: who’s going to protect that back 4. Pep was too adventurous with such an attacking lineup, definitely hasn’t learnt his lessons when he’s done the same thing in earlier knockout games, experimenting at this stage.

Chelsea were perfect tonight, Kante is a baller and Tuchel is a superb conductor, got the team to play with absolute perfection like his orchestra.

It is high time we call it being outwitted rather than Pep being called an overthinker. I agree a DM could have done better.

Questions need to be asked to Guardiola now. A Decade without CL and with the resources he had is inexcusable.

Hansolo,

commented 2 year(s) ago

@DramaticAdmiral there’s no gyaan to be given here, these were just my thoughts, how can I possibly know better? Even then I can criticise his formation because this wasn’t his best 11 that was winning him games. The DM point wasn’t even a post game conclusion.

With how City play, one of their fullbacks nearly always either stays in midfield or pushed up on one wing, they needed some stability. He risked it having no DM which just allowed easy Chelsea counterattacks. You don’t just change your best 11 for a final and then expect not to be criticised.

Tuchel went with his set and forget best 11. He didn’t overthink if Pulisic’s pace would be better on the counter instead of Havertz or if he needed Kovacic to break down their possession instead of Jorginho. Pep gets criticised because he overthinks. He did it in the Lyon game, he did it in this final again.

He still hasn’t won a CL without Messi.

The Kane point is moot because then you’re not separating genuine criticism from outrage.

commented 2 year(s) ago

@SergioRamos I completely agree that he got outwitted in every dimension. My DM fear was just that if City concede first, which they did, they wouldn’t be able to break down Chelsea. They don’t have a proper striker, everyone knows Kante wouldn’t let Foden or KdB have the ball in the middle, Chelsea defend with 2 on the flank so nearly zero chance for any overlapping runs from City’s wingers. I’d still say that with more defensive stability, City would have had more chance at winning because then you’re also not letting Chelsea score. Pep’s whole game plan relied on them getting the first goal and it failed.

Pehle people used to say he can’t win a CL without Messi and I just laughed it out but now after seeing his teams bottle it again and again despite him signing the best players that he wants, I just consider other managers to be tactically better because they’re doing it with fewer resources.

dwightschrute .

commented 2 year(s) ago

Pep will go all out for Kane now surely. Daniel Levy must've been low key supporting Chelsea because he can raise his asking price now. Will be interesting to see if Kane forces the issue. He loves Spurs but they're going nowhere.

KingSlayer23,necromancer

commented 2 year(s) ago

You win, it gets called a tactical masterclass. You lose, people go what were you thinking. I'll end it with this

AzadHindFauz,brownianMotion

commented 2 year(s) ago

necromancersaid
@SergioRamos I completely agree that he got outwitted in every dimension. My DM fear was just that if City concede first, which they did, they wouldn’t be able to break down Chelsea. They don’t have a proper striker, everyone knows Kante wouldn’t let Foden or KdB have the ball in the middle, Chelsea defend with 2 on the flank so nearly zero chance for any overlapping runs from City’s wingers. I’d still say that with more defensive stability, City would have had more chance at winning because then you’re also not letting Chelsea score. Pep’s whole game plan relied on them getting the first goal and it failed.
Pehle people used to say he can’t win a CL without Messi and I just laughed it out but now after seeing his teams bottle it again and again despite him signing the best players that he wants, I just consider other managers to be tactically better because they’re doing it with fewer resources.

I agree. Kante and Mount's ball recovery was superb, did not even allow Gundo or Silva in the game. Also, a special mention for Reece James, played too good. Had Timo Werner been a bit more clinical, it would've been embarrassing for Pep for sure.

And, other managers are better. Tiki-Taka Triangles and hexagons are all good and work in the leagues as the majority of opponents are relatively weak. The reason why Pep gets away in the league(That too not very often) is most of the time due to having two playing XI. A deeper squad directly increases your chances of winning the league. Beating them down with money, if you will.

He is a great manager, but he cannot be the best if he has not won a UCL with all those resources in a fucking DECADE.

necromancer,Hansolo

commented 2 year(s) ago

Who are you rooting for in Euro 2020?

I'll be rooting for France and Bukayo Saka :p

commented 2 year(s) ago

AzadHindFauzsaid
Who are you rooting for in Euro 2020?
I'll be rooting for France and Bukayo Saka :p

Netherlands and Belgium. They deserve to win a trophy. They have quality players and came close too in past tournaments. I feel bad for them.

And obviously Saka too. He is a genius but I think we should go slow on him. He has been playing non stop. Give that kid a rest.

AzadHindFauz,

commented 2 year(s) ago

@AzadHindFauz Not particularly rooting for anyone. Hoping for an underdog win like 2004.

@Arsene Netherlands? Have you seen their team?

I think France, Belgium(KDB playing) and Portugal have the best squads.

AzadHindFauz,

commented 2 year(s) ago

Too funny not to share

EiChan,AzadHindFauzand5 otherslike this

commented 2 year(s) ago

On paper England possibly have the best squad. Just feels like the right mixture of experience and youthful adventure. The bigger matchups are most likely going to be drab games devoid of goals and like the final last time, feels like it would be a competition of the best defences.

France look strong, Belgium on paper but an out of form Hazard, an injured and cautious KdB and an old, creaky defence with an uninspiring Martinez look like disappointment again, Germany still look lost in the wild and have a very tough group. Portugal are an even better team than last time so a safe bet would be them. They just don’t like conceding, a lot of players are returning from successful domestic seasons so they’re the favourites for me.

Celeborn,Rashmirathi

commented 2 year(s) ago

I liked Netherlands last year. Then Koeman left. And Van Dijk got injured. Suddenly they're looking clueless.

Personally, I'll be watching as a true neutral this time. Trying to enjoy the games fully.

Btw, are you all going to watch the matches? Or are you holding back to not mess with your preparation?

necromancer,

commented 2 year(s) ago

Celebornsaid
I liked Netherlands last year. Then Koeman left. And Van Dijk got injured. Suddenly they're looking clueless.
Personally, I'll be watching as a true neutral this time. Trying to enjoy the games fully.
Btw, are you all going to watch the matches? Or are you holding back to not mess with your preparation?

Will be cautious with the 9:30 pm or late fixtures. Rest will try to watch!

commented 2 year(s) ago

AzadHindFauzsaid
Who are you rooting for in Euro 2020?
I'll be rooting for France and Bukayo Saka :p

FRANCE! Only because the ultimate drip king has returned to replace the go-kart!

AzadHindFauz,

commented 2 year(s) ago

@SergioRamos Not supporting Wales?

commented 2 year(s) ago

DramaticAdmiralsaid
@SergioRamos Not supporting Wales?

FRANCE.Literally Any Team on Earth. WALES.

In that order.

JSMill,MikeWozniakand4 otherslike this

commented 2 year(s) ago

SergioRamossaid
DramaticAdmiralsaid
@SergioRamos Not supporting Wales?

FRANCE.Literally Any Team on Earth. WALES.

In that order.

I like them. It's because two guys (Bale and Ramsey) have been pulling that team since I don't know when.

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