Just like the last two days. I’ll be in here right around 3 PM for kickoff. Your preview tidbit: Bayern Munich averaged 100 possessions per game this season, which was a top-20 figure in Europe. Barcelona averaged 85 possessions per game, which was the fourth-lowest figure in Europe. If Barca are gonna spring the upset, they’re probably gonna have to get the game running at their preferred pace. See you soon.
OK, that's it from me today: Loved doing this, as always. This game didn't need it, but you guys made it even more fun to watch. I'll leave you with this: first time since 2006 that Messi or Ronaldo won't be in the Champions League semifinals. We've known that it's a new era for a couple years now, but this is the kind of game that makes it official. Enjoy your Fridays, all.
I mean .... what the fuck? It definitely felt like Bayern could win easily, but 8-2 at a neutral site?????? That's one of the most dominant wins at this level of the sport that you'll ever see; hell, it's probably the most dominant win you'll ever see. You don't get an 8-2 without one team being absolutely terrible and the other team being absolutely dominant. Bayern are a problem, and they're gonna be a problem for a long time: 26 shots and 5.58 expected goals. That's what you might expect against a fourth-division team from Rhineland. Barcelona, meanwhile, have no easy way out of this. All of their key players are gonna be a year older. All of their young players are babies and won't be at a full-time starter level for years. Maybe this is a good thing, though? A lopsided 3-2 loss makes it easy to think you can run it back. After this, can you do anything but burn it all down?
From a winning-more-trophies-before-it's-over perspective, Messi should absolutely leave Barcelona ASAP. There's just such a slim path toward this team being a contender any time soon. It's way more than just coaching. His and his club's timelines are just so far away from each other right now.
Just feels like Bayern are giving Messi way too much time and way too much space on the outer edges of the attacking third. This line looks suicidal on TV, and the midfield isn't providing any pressure in their own half of the field.
That got through like a half-inch window between Llenglet and Ter Stegen's feet. Wasn't a great angle, but all that space let Perisic cock back and rip one.
bet on bayern -.5 which almost guarantees a signature messi moment...i cant wait. also wonder how many days i can gamble on sports all afternoon and stay employed
Some more HT numbers. Barca have completed 231 passes to Bayern's 201. BUT Bayern have completed 51 passes in the final-third to Barca's 17 and 12 in the penalty area to Barca's three. Space > possession.
LMFAOOOOOO
This is the best game I've ever seen. Defense is for losers.
OK, that's it from me today: Loved doing this, as always. This game didn't need it, but you guys made it even more fun to watch. I'll leave you with this: first time since 2006 that Messi or Ronaldo won't be in the Champions League semifinals. We've known that it's a new era for a couple years now, but this is the kind of game that makes it official. Enjoy your Fridays, all.
I wish we didn't have fake crowd noise right now. Watching this in a hollowed-out stadium would've been the movie of 2020.
I mean .... what the fuck? It definitely felt like Bayern could win easily, but 8-2 at a neutral site?????? That's one of the most dominant wins at this level of the sport that you'll ever see; hell, it's probably the most dominant win you'll ever see. You don't get an 8-2 without one team being absolutely terrible and the other team being absolutely dominant. Bayern are a problem, and they're gonna be a problem for a long time: 26 shots and 5.58 expected goals. That's what you might expect against a fourth-division team from Rhineland. Barcelona, meanwhile, have no easy way out of this. All of their key players are gonna be a year older. All of their young players are babies and won't be at a full-time starter level for years. Maybe this is a good thing, though? A lopsided 3-2 loss makes it easy to think you can run it back. After this, can you do anything but burn it all down?
Coutinho's created more than Messi ...
MOST DANGEROUS LEAD IN SOCCER X2
OK, everyone is obsessed with how to FIX Barcelona. But who cares. What I want to know: How would you break Barcelona even further?
From a winning-more-trophies-before-it's-over perspective, Messi should absolutely leave Barcelona ASAP. There's just such a slim path toward this team being a contender any time soon. It's way more than just coaching. His and his club's timelines are just so far away from each other right now.
We actually need Barcelona to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. They have to quadruple down on old players. I would watch every game.
You guys don't think Barcelona are just a Mirajlem Pjanic away from being an elite team again?
Barca have 57-percent possession and two shots. Bayern have 13 shots. This is the most feeble version of tiki-taka you'll ever see.
YIKES
Don't forget that Barca almost scored 30 seconds before Bayern slammed one in! This isn't over.
Speaking of Germany,
Eat the fucking boot, Donnie
Apparently Julio Cesar is one of the commentators for this game in Brazil. He can, uh, provide some authentic input. https://twitter.com/RBalta1/status/1294356948155076609
This went from an amazing back-and-forth game to an absolute slaughter-fest in about five minutes. Welp.
All of Barca's good chances and good possessions have come from long balls. Maybe, uh, do that?
The MLS takeover of the Champions League continues, as we all predicted.
This game is what hearing rock music for the first time in the 50’s must have been like
clinical finish from alaba
Are Barca just trolling at this point with the passes in their own box
Listen, we've seen teams overturn a three-goal deficit in the second half of a Champions League matchup before ... right?
Just feels like Bayern are giving Messi way too much time and way too much space on the outer edges of the attacking third. This line looks suicidal on TV, and the midfield isn't providing any pressure in their own half of the field.
That got through like a half-inch window between Llenglet and Ter Stegen's feet. Wasn't a great angle, but all that space let Perisic cock back and rip one.
bet on bayern -.5 which almost guarantees a signature messi moment...i cant wait. also wonder how many days i can gamble on sports all afternoon and stay employed
Where’s Messi been at. If only they had Cristi
i know that felt better than sex for coutinho
That’s more like it from Perisic
i'm supposed to be working on a big project at work but i can't take my eyes off this game
it's like Barcelona walked around all season saving their energy so they could press like maniacs in this one game
Oh my Davies
Showing Coutinho on the bench is just salt in the wound
messi is about to turn into lebron during the 2015 finals
this game is the right kind of stupid
This is tremendous content
Coutinho with the big middle finger to his club
Wow. https://twitter.com/Orbinho/status/1294373496257155073
Coutinho now out-scoring and out-creating Messi ...
OK, if Messi leaves Barcelona -- he won't, I don't think, but he should because it would be fun as hell -- where would you wanna see him go?
Can America claim Alphonso Davies?
Some more HT numbers. Barca have completed 231 passes to Bayern's 201. BUT Bayern have completed 51 passes in the final-third to Barca's 17 and 12 in the penalty area to Barca's three. Space > possession.
Messi has one shot and hasn't created a chance yet. Amazing that Barca can have that much of the ball but can't get him involved.
What do you guys think the xG tallies are right now? (I have them.)
Will Setién get sacked before halftime
whoever said germany brazil was on to something
This isn't officially a chat until we start talking shit about Leon Goretzka. Things are moving too fast for me to focus.
Barca are easily getting into those wide channels. Boateng-esque from Alaba. LET'S GO.
Lol. Lol. That’s my expert opinion
this is sad