Still Not the Super League: Champions League 23/24
- Thread starter rguilmar
- Start date
- GROUP A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray
- GROUP B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Lens
- GROUP C: Napoli, Real Madrid, SC Braga, Union Berlin
- GROUP D: Benfica, Inter Milan, FC Salzburg, Real Sociedad
- GROUP E: Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic
- GROUP F: PSG, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle United
- GROUP G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys
- GROUP H: Barcelona, FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Antwerp
NUFC gets to sing "We're going to Italy" and . . . that's probably it. Don't hate the Celtic draw.
Obviously that group F is the headliner. The others look pretty straightforward for the bigger clubs.
For La Liga teams, Barcelona must be pretty excited after last season and definitely could use the money of a semi deep run. Sevilla will of course finish third in their group then go on to win the Europa League. They’re currently dead last in La Liga. Atleti must like their group too, but we said that last season. I’m looking forward to Kvaradona versus Real Madrid myself. Sociedad also probably like the draw given that they were in pot 4.
For La Liga teams, Barcelona must be pretty excited after last season and definitely could use the money of a semi deep run. Sevilla will of course finish third in their group then go on to win the Europa League. They’re currently dead last in La Liga. Atleti must like their group too, but we said that last season. I’m looking forward to Kvaradona versus Real Madrid myself. Sociedad also probably like the draw given that they were in pot 4.
Yeah, I was REALLY hoping that Union Berlin went to that group instead of Group C, which is pretty rough.
F is the GoD, with A #2 IMO. Then C and D are next and then it seems like a pretty big drop to the other four groups
A doesn't look very deathy to me. Two big names, two teams from smaller leagues who'll struggle to compete, though Utd being utter shite away to one or other wouldn't be a shock.
B might be the most interesting after F. I'd expect Arsenal to make it through somehow, but wouldn't be shocked if Sevilla won the group and wouldn't be shocked if they finished fourth. D you could also see one of the higher seeded teams crashing out.
B might be the most interesting after F. I'd expect Arsenal to make it through somehow, but wouldn't be shocked if Sevilla won the group and wouldn't be shocked if they finished fourth. D you could also see one of the higher seeded teams crashing out.
I think Union have a good chance in C, all will probably come down to the Napoli game.
Probably the best for NUFC, they were ahead of schedule getting here. Groups B, D, and E should produce competitive, and hopefully fun, matches.
There's always one. I low key think PSG are going to be very strong this year. By shedding Messi and Neymar, they're going to have much more legs for defending in the front line, and while I don't think Lucho is a master tactician, he's smart enough to know how to build team balance. I'm not sure how good their MF corps is, but there's enough quality that they could really do some work. The key question for their UCL campaign is timing--can Lucho get this team humming in time to make it out of the group?
Very pleased with Barca's draw. They are in a mini-crisis at the moment though, and do need to steady the ship before I feel good about their chances to progress.
Sevilla will OBVIOUSLY win UEL. It is known.
You nailed the vibes re Atleti.
Ugh
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I don't love Inter's draw. It feels like the Portuguese clubs always brings more to UCL than everyone thinks. Sociedad should be a lot of fun, but lacks experience at this level. Is FC Salzburg the same as RB Salzburg?
I hate Spurs' draw [winky face]
Yeah I think that is probably the key matchup for them. Hopefully they can get Naopoli or Real for the first game and hope their opponent underestimates them.
Here are the group stage dates so you can plan accordingly.
- Matchday 1: Sept. 19/20, 2023
- Matchday 2: Oct. 3/4, 2023
- Matchday 3: Oct. 24/25, 2023
- Matchday 4: Nov. 7/8, 2023
- Matchday 5: Nov. 28/29, 2023
- Matchday 6: Dec. 12/13, 2023
Group stage day 1:
Milan Newcastle looks like a tasty matchup for the early game. Celtic Feyenoord / Lazio Athleti / Paris BVB all look to be good matches in the second 3pm eastern window.
I believe all matches are streaming on Paramount Plus.
Milan Newcastle looks like a tasty matchup for the early game. Celtic Feyenoord / Lazio Athleti / Paris BVB all look to be good matches in the second 3pm eastern window.
I believe all matches are streaming on Paramount Plus.
UCL thread title suggestions:
Whinging to Wembley
It's Coming Home! No, Not THAT!
Ethanol Invades England
Begone Coefficients!
Don't Call it the Superleague
32 Until Further Notice
For next year:
EPL Plus Some Other Clubs
Whinging to Wembley
It's Coming Home! No, Not THAT!
Ethanol Invades England
Begone Coefficients!
Don't Call it the Superleague
32 Until Further Notice
For next year:
EPL Plus Some Other Clubs
Pulisic just skied a corner over the box. Improvement over not clearing the first defender in the World Cup. Maybe if he can find some middle ground he can hit a teammates head some day
Today's the day that I restart my subscription to Paramount+. I'm hopeful that Atletico will be around long enough that I'm not canceling in like four months.
Newcastle performed very much like a team with almost no CL experience apart from two guys. But there are worse things in life than getting a point in Milan.
His celebration is so perfect. He has absolutely no fucking clue how to react so he runs around trying to figure something out.
I thought he was maybe running back to his line before Atl could pick the ball out of the net and start again?
but your explanation is more fun.
that was perfect*** technique. No #9 ever did it better.
I have nightmares about players scoring against Atlético in the final minutes off a header from a corner.
Atletico’s clearance was just trash — it was cleared right to a Lazio player and everyone was so out of position and tired that there was no one able to disrupt the passer. A point at Lazio isn’t bad but boy that’s an awful way to lose two points.
I’ve mentioned my friend Peter in Gazza before. He’s been going to Union Berlin games for like 50 years having grown up in Köpenick. So you can imagine how special this all is for him. His best friend is Luis. They’ve had season tickets together for like 20 years. Luis is from Madrid and a big Atlético Madrid fan. Atlético was his first love, but Union Berlin probably holds a similar place in his heart. So this particular matchup is all the more special for him.
They’re both in Madrid for the game tonight, and I couldn’t be happier for them. Peter just told me that they’re on the way to the Union Berlin supporter meeting point. They didn’t goon one of the planes the team chartered, as they’re staying with Luis’s brother. The situation for the chartered flights was that they were taking off around 5am or so this morning, they are scheduled to take off from Madrid around 1am after the game. The team was offering the flights for €500, which seems pretty fair.
I got my home tickets in the mail yesterday. So excited. I’ve got to somehow get some work done today.
It also seems that The Athletic is going to be following Union Berlin’s UCL experience, which will be fun (at least that’s how I read the article).
Eisern!
https://theathletic.com/4873947/2023/09/19/champions-league-union-berlin/?source=user_shared_article
They’re both in Madrid for the game tonight, and I couldn’t be happier for them. Peter just told me that they’re on the way to the Union Berlin supporter meeting point. They didn’t goon one of the planes the team chartered, as they’re staying with Luis’s brother. The situation for the chartered flights was that they were taking off around 5am or so this morning, they are scheduled to take off from Madrid around 1am after the game. The team was offering the flights for €500, which seems pretty fair.
I got my home tickets in the mail yesterday. So excited. I’ve got to somehow get some work done today.
It also seems that The Athletic is going to be following Union Berlin’s UCL experience, which will be fun (at least that’s how I read the article).
Eisern!
https://theathletic.com/4873947/2023/09/19/champions-league-union-berlin/?source=user_shared_article
That’s awesome, so excited for all those Union fans like Peter. To paraphrase that book title: “Scheisse we’re playing in the Champions League!”
Where are you going to be watching the match @candylandriots? Enjoy the experience.
Eisern Union!
Where are you going to be watching the match @candylandriots? Enjoy the experience.
Eisern Union!
I’m going to be watching at home. Peter and Luis are in Madrid and my other friend that I go to a lot of games with, Tom, is on a flight to Vancouver, hoping wifi gets him through with updates.
Union Berlin’s Instagram had a fun video of their supporters in Madrid today.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxamjiOMKA8/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Bonucci gets his first Union Berlin action tonight, with Robin Knoche home sick — didn’t make the trip. Aaronson is on the bench.
@candylandriots - I think you’ll take that half. Prolong this game and try to steal a goal in the second half.
Yeah I’ll definitely take that. They seemed pretty stout, not overwhelmed by the moment. I’ll take my chances at 0-0 and hope for a bit of luck. We
Union gave it their all and almost got out with a point. That last quick corner by RM was all that was standing between them and a point.
Arsenal looking really strong early vs PSV. Up 2-0 but it could easily be 4.
Depth is certainly a key difference with Arsenal from last year to this year as they have plenty of options to fill in for the injured Martinelli and Partey and still some very good substitutions available off the bench. My biggest depth concern would be if something happens to Saliba after the injury to Timber. He was just so good last year and this year and when he got injured last year, it really seemed to be what ended Arsenal's PL title chance.
Depth is certainly a key difference with Arsenal from last year to this year as they have plenty of options to fill in for the injured Martinelli and Partey and still some very good substitutions available off the bench. My biggest depth concern would be if something happens to Saliba after the injury to Timber. He was just so good last year and this year and when he got injured last year, it really seemed to be what ended Arsenal's PL title chance.
I didn’t understand how Onana commanded such a fee over the summer and I still don’t. He’s been prone to these mistakes throughout his career. De Gea was as mistake prone but could still make spectacular saves. Onana might be an upgrade with his feet but he’s nowhere near the shot stopper that De Gea is and doesn’t cancel that out by being in any way solid.
That sucked. I joined a work call with it on in the room and had to mute myself to string together the expletives.