La Liga 2022/23

[soul24rage]

People say the same thing about Madrid every year they win it, they aren't that good, haven't played a good team so far.

Yet in may, who is damn near always champions?, I've learnt my lesson never counting them out until they are actually out.

Same for me, the way teams play in CL suits RM a lot more than the way teams play in La Liga, so I am never counting RM out in the CL

 

[Horatio]

City are a weird one this season, you either a game where Haaland looks like he could score 6, or a game where they cannot reach him at all and he has about 6 touches

And then somehow Haaland gets all @(#* thrown at him and singlehandedly responsible for a bad result subsequently being called overrated as hell. Checks out.

 

[fergus90]

And then somehow Haaland gets all @(#* thrown at him and singlehandedly responsible for a bad result subsequently being called overrated as hell. Checks out.

Yup, there are many games where he makes run after run which is ignored. Usually when De Bruyne is missing they struggle to get Haaland involved.

 

[serghei]

Same for me, the way teams play in CL suits RM a lot more than the way teams play in La Liga, so I am never counting RM out in the CL

Especially EPL teams. They kind of go all out attacking them, leave huge spaces at the back for Modric, Vini and Benzema to feast on.

City is still best equipped to beat them imo despite their shit keeper and defensive screw-ups. Last year they had a mental collapse, but dominated Madrid in both games bar for last 5 mins.

 

[Birdy]

City have played fantastically the last 2 months.
After that poor Leipzig away game, they geared up and at this point in the season they are at their best form. Tuchel said the same thing.

I see them as favorites vs Bayern, since the managerial change means Bayern will not be as cohesive
And if they beat Bayern, they will go all the way this time

 

[fergus90]

I’d fancy City over Bayern too. Although Tuchel is a bit of a specialist at getting sides to cup finals.

Saying that, as great as Guardiola teams are, they have never been good away from home in Europe.

 

[serghei]

Also see City as favorites against Bayern. Madrid will take out Bayern again imo if they meet in the semis.

 

[Morten]

Fear is not why they won that CL last year. It was two players : Benzema converting every single tiny chance that came his way and Courtois saving almost every shot.

That CL is not repeatable... Those two were playing at all time legendary levels and probably won't happen again.

Benzema had something like 5 expected goals and scored 15, basically every single ball in the box he converted, that volley against City was just silly stuff.
As for Courtois, apparently had more saves than Cech in 2012, how he got a hand on that shot from Mane i will never know, so we definitely had some luck.

 

[Birdy]

I’d fancy City over Bayern too. Although Tuchel is a bit of a specialist at getting sides to cup finals.

Definitely! The best coach IMO for any cup tournament.
But he just got hired. I don't think he has enough time to learn his squad so as to prepare them according to what he wants

 

[serghei]

Benzema had something like 5 expected goals and scored 15, basically single ball in the box he converted, that volley against City was just silly stuff.
As for Courtois, apparently had more saves than Cech in 2012, so we definitely had some luck.

You had huge luck last year, but imo this year the path is easier for you.

Liverpool was way worse, Chelsea worse, can play one of Benfica/Napoli/Inter/Milan in the final. Basically Madrid have a huge hurdle in the semis and they are close to another CL.

 

[Luftstalag14]

Gracias Villarreal!!!

Time to show my affiliation and affection...

 

[Morten]

You had huge luck last year, but imo this year the path is easier for you.

Liverpool was way worse, Chelsea worse, can play one of Benfica/Napoli/Inter/Milan in the final. Basically Madrid have a huge hurdle in the semis and they are close to another CL.

Long way to go still, but if it happens, i want Milan.

 

[Horatio]

If Real wins it, so be it. Too many other teams that have a subscription taken on being bottlers, including us to a degree. Hope for a great clash though if it comes down to Haaland vs Real. Of course will root for City, but if Pep fails again fair game to Real.

 

[fergus90]

Definitely! The best coach IMO for any cup tournament.
But he just got hired. I don't think he has enough time to learn his squad so as to prepare them according to what he wants

True, without doubt the strangest timing for a sacking I can ever think of. Especially when the fixtures that could make a break a season are all within the first two weeks as well.

 

[Horatio]

Gracias Villarreal!!!

Nice jersey. But does not make up for the disgusting comments in the Vini thread.