Yeah the Champions League doesn’t have the pre-Christmas drama it used to have. Think Liverpool elimination on the final day in Basel (2002-03), near elimination on the final day against Olympiakos in 2004-05 before improbably going on to win it out and Man Utd bombing out in the group in 2005-06. Go back 20 years ago and it felt like there was far more equality. More surprise packages like Monaco, Deportivo and Porto (2004) or PSV (2005). A larger number of teams who could realistically expect to win out. Although maybe today’s children will look back with nostalgia at the Champions League group stages in 2023/24 that knocked out Man Utd, Newcastle and Milan.
Leinster football was far more vibrant 20 years ago too before the Dublin juggernaut consumed all. A functioning football championship with the novel new qualifiers. The Heineken Cup was still a thing at the time too in the rugby. We’re lucky we grew up when we did. Albeit I think the football is becoming more open again in recent years and the hurling has a similar number of contenders as it always had.
Girona ex spurs keeper has a howler and PSG win. However, I’ve been a fan of Dembele for years but he really doesn’t have it, his striking of the ball is just cat, and he is going around taking free kicks with his bad leg. Kolo Muani has all the potential in the world but just missed so many chances. They need to ship the two of them and focus on Bercola.
Bar Barca and Real, OSG have the best young midfielders in Europe. The young Portuguese Neves is unbelievable.
I think this new format needs to be given a chance. Those groups of four with home & away fixtures were becoming very samey. 8 standalone matches is an interesting new twist & I predict it’ll become properly intriguing as the table takes shape. There’ll likely only be a few points separating a clutch of sides trying to get that top 8 slot & direct entry to the last 16 & similarly a lot of jockeying for position in the 9-24 bracket as teams want to be seeded for the play off round. Not to mention the teams in the lower part scrambling to break into the 24.
You’ve made a compelling case. One of my favourite Irish pundits Damien Delaney was very enthusiastic about the new structure too. Should provide some great prelim ties anyway. The sheer volume of games might be a worry for the players but any of us would gladly play an extra few games a season in some of the most picturesque cities in Europe rather than pouring over spreadsheets etc.
He was the senior partner tonight. An excellent performance.
Engels looks like the prototype modern midfielder - an all round player & athlete.
Rodgers has consistently spoken about pace and power being needed for CL. Engels provides that & there’s loads of pace on the counter too with Maeda & Kuhn.
European nights at Celtic Park can be very loud but volume won’t be a problem for the Abu Dhabi players in the library-like atmosphere of the Wastelands.
