I think if Real Madrid kept a clean sheet in Spain, provided they are playing at home in the first leg, then even a 0-0 draw would be a brilliant result for them to go to Munich with- they could just set-up to attack because of the away goals rule!

I do not want Real Madrid to play Bayern Munich though, not because I believe the result would go against how I want it- mainly because it would mean Chelsea and Atlético playing each other which would be boring. I've wanted Real Madrid to play Bayern all season, but now that the other two teams in the semi would provide such a boring game I am not so sure.

Chelsea against Real Madrid
Bayern Munich against Atlético Madrid.

Yeah I know what you mean. It's a hard one to judge really. I think the mentality of Real Madrid is, and has been for a while, the sticking point over winning the CL.

Hopefully Atleti win it. Would be facking amazing and they must have the confidence to take on anyone at the moment.

I agree, the fact that their next Champions League would be their 10th- a big round number pushing them further clear of their rivals- has been an obsession.

Atlético seem like a team suited perfectly to two-legged football matches. If you look at a lot of their games in the Champions League, there's usually less than three goals in total in them meaning they're always still well in the tie going into the second leg.

Real Madrid seem to be a team that could hit a thirty minute spell and score three goals, but that also has a defence that can just self-destruct. Regardless of whether they're home or away I think this will be the case.

With Chelsea it would be interesting to see how they would fare if they were at home first. Mourinho is cautious by nature and may not attack enough to build up a lead at home- so if it's a draw he needs his side to score in the away game. Being at home in the second leg is advantageous simply because you know what you have to do and as the home side you're expected to take the initiative regardless.

Yeah I agree.

It's a strange one. All teams have the capability to win it. But there are many question marks over all three.

I think if Madrid can get to the final they'll rise to the occasion, but getting there will be tough.

*four

Hey guys,
Just cleared my exams
GREAT win for Atleti!! La liga is not such a two big teams and 18 pub teams league after all is it?

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

The number of banned words in that post when I first tried to post it...

Congrats, Wump.

I can understand where you are coming from with that. But at the same time I think a lot of that mentality is down to Wenger.

Obviously you'd expect the players to have a stronger mentality regardless, but you only have to look at us to see how the mentality can be drained out of a team when the manager isn't inspiring the players.

comment by Darren The King Fletcher (U10026)
posted 13 minutes ago
Congrats, Wump.

I can understand where you are coming from with that. But at the same time I think a lot of that mentality is down to Wenger.

Obviously you'd expect the players to have a stronger mentality regardless, but you only have to look at us to see how the mentality can be drained out of a team when the manager isn't inspiring the players.


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Thanks man! I know what you mean. I was watching the Everton match in the pub and we had the same conversation with some of the guys there. I am a big fan of Wenger, but I was telling them regardless of that, I do believe that the current mental state of the team is down to him! The problem is though, the team that started the season (personnel-wise) is not the same team that is playing at the moment. Most of those players are currently injured save for a few. The mentality in that team was amazing! What has changed since then?

I guess players like Walcott and Ramsey, beyond them being your best players, would probably be a lot more motivated to play for Wenger given all he's done for their careers.

Looking at the lineup against Everton, there doesn't seem to be too many that would be the same - rightly or wrongly.

I also think it's difficult to judge just how much of a difference those players missing would have made. Wenger's record away from home against the big boys has been pathetic for years, so it's not a new thing that can only be put down to injuries.

But it is very difficult to pin down. Something is really amiss at Arsenal. As much as I think many of your players get overhyped by your fans, you do have a lot of quality in that team and should be competing against the best a lot better than you have been.

I'm starting to think that while Wenger is brilliant and has so many good things about him he might just have lost that spark that can take you to the next level.

It seems to me as if he's as unmotivated as his teams are, and is merely content to have Arsenal in a strong position that keeps them well run rather than having that real drive to win.

Well, that line paragraph is something I have always disagreed with! If he was unmotivated he would have quit such a long time ago. I think the problem is the mentality he has instilled in the players. None of these idiots want to take responsibility for anything. He has made them used to hiding behind him like little boys hide behind their mothers dresses. He needs to be a bit tougher on his players and bring out the hair-drier when needed instead of hugging them every time things go wrong. The team as a whole needs to grow up!!

I mean motivated to be the best, not motivated to manage.

I do agree with the rest of that, though.

Ronaldo out for two weeks.

Will he miss any CL matches? Shouldn't matter in the league, they've got easy fixtures.

Will miss first leg of Copa and Champions League.

Ah ok. So that means they'll lose the Copa Del Rey and lose their first leg of the CL.

Noooooooooooooooooooo

Just watching last nights highlights, atletico were so good wow.

That Gabi chance is the worst defending I have ever seen!

CR misses the Copa del Rey final next Wednesday.

More than a workhorse

Anyone see the photos of CR7 on Tuesday> Was like the manager