Topic: UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Season - page 1124. (Read 141749 times)

Yes but that is not necessarily a new strategy that they are pursuing here. I think it is also a question of quality.

It is not like they are all about young players. With ter Stegen they have a highly experienced goalkeeper. They have Christensen and Alonso who are not that young anymore. Sergi Roberto is also there. Frenkie de Jong is only 26, but I would count him as an experienced player. Gündogan and Romeu of course who are both over 30 years old. Then there is Lewandowski.

I know there are still a lot of younger players, but how good are they really? Are they all going to be better with age? That's difficult to tell, but I think that they need more quality players.

I think that Galatasaray has much better players as I have created a thread where we overlook data that is easily accessible to all of us before placing a bet and I said in there that Galatasaray only in attack had Zaha and Icardi,two ex Serie A players which clearly can make a huge difference against a team like Molde who is more than 90% created from Norwegian local players.From the three games of tomorrow I think that Galatasaray is the most sure one to bet on but the odds are really low on them at 1.20 or 1.25 something along those lines.

The other two games are widely open as PSV drew against Rangers at Rangers home but nowadays goals away has no weight and as such they start on equal on PSV field while Panathinaikos need to win with at least 1 goal to go to additional time.

Joselu, who was expected to replace Benzema, hasn't lived up to expectations, and Rodrygo, who is usually plotted in Benzema's position, hasn't shown his ability. Jude b is now a figure who is showing an extraordinary game. Although he is still relatively new to the team, he can show good adaptation and even he has always been a differentiator in the matches that Rael Madrid has played, so you could say he is Real Madrid's most successful transfer this season. Vini jr was not seen in the early matches but is now slowly improving his performance. But it is undeniable that Ancelotti still has a lot of work to do.

The champions league will be more difficult, especially now that they have a very strong competitor, it is Manchester City who are in rapid improvement.

Xavi's been shopping, huh? Guendogan's addition from Manchester City to Barcelona is pretty exciting, even if City has upped their game by snagging Kovacic, that UCL magnet from Chelsea. Xavi's ambition for a robust squad, particularly for the UCL, is evident. But here's where I become skeptical. Sure, a strong squad is vital, but its the mentality that plays a more significant role. The pressure of performing at Europe's elite level is no joke. You wouldnt want Barcelona's players stressing about the UCL when they have a myriad of matches to think of. Thinking too far ahead might just land them in a pickle! But, hey, isn't Lamine Yamal from their academy making waves? Thats a sign they're doing something right, or at least I hope so!

For Rangers vs PSV i want PSV win but it will not be easy because Rangers have experience to beat PSV last season at PSV home ground and it has been discussed before and maybe with the current conditions which is PSV is much better than last season then possibly PSV will be the winner of this match and advances to the group stage

Galatasaray vs FC Molde indeed Galatasaray is the favourite but aggregate 3-2 still not fully safe for them because possibly Molde can able to stole goals from them but indeed Galatasaray had good advantages because they will playing at home
 
Panathinaikos vs Braga and this is will be hard to predicted because both teams has equal chances to qualified although Panathinaikos will playing at home for second leg but don't mean Braga will be easy to beat especially if want to qualified Panathinaikos have to win at least 2 goals or more so this is quite difficult for Panathinaikos even i predict Braga will be able to qualified

Carlos Ancelotti is well experienced person who is working on good strategy mainly he never depends on one player after exit of Karim Benzema there were many rumors about Real Madrid future and their start of pre-season games were also not good but now as they are playing in La Liga things are looking impressive and their best player Jude Bellingham is also doing impressive as right now he is at the top of the league table, but now they need to keep this momentum and also having their replacements in better shape because any injury or other problem can ruin their season which could be not good.

Now in few days we will have group stage to be started, so load could be increase and things could be also more difficult for the players and teams, but hopefully they will be able to manage this all as they are well-prepared for this all with their current available sources.

I don't see any possibility of Benzema returning to the Real Madrid team. However, most of his career was spent at Real Madrid and his dedication to the team is unforgettable.

I think we have to talk more about the important incoming amtches we have in this week, and not so much about the Barcelona future in  this competition.

- Rangers or PSV? I went with PSV, i dont think Rangers can have so much chance in PSV stadium.
- Galatasaray Molde? Galatasaray easy.
- Panathinaikos Braga? Here i dont really know.
- Young BOys Haifa? Everything can happen here.
- AEK Royal Antwerp? I see better team on the Belgian one, but AEK took out Dinamo zagreb the past round so i back them.
- København- Rakow? The danish team its gonnapass.


What do you think?

Benzema's episode ended the day he moved to Al-Ittihad, he is doing well there and has had few goals, let that slide and focus more on how the current team of Real Madrid has been. When a club undergoes major changes of players, there must be changes in how the players interact, how they play and how they win and since Casemiro was sold to Manchester United, their defence has changed even though Kroos and Rudiger are still in their prime protecting that with their life, it has really changed.

The centre forward has also experienced changes, Viniciuos has not been in the form the way he was during their last Champions League, no other player like Benzema that take advantage of assists like him that's why the effort of Viniciuos is sometimes wasted. Bellingham is good though, but that's not enough to me. If Ancelotti insists on riding the storm this season with the left players, so be it but I'm very confident that the fans are going to fry him before next year July.

Of course Real Madrid are called the Royal Club for a reason, so they are always favourites for the title in any cups, and I only said my opinion. But the first three games in La Liga against not the strongest clubs does not mean that Real Madrid are well prepared for the Champions League.

Barcelona is playing badly statistically, they have conceded much goals the defenders looks tired and week in the back. The strength of this current squad is the midfield once the midfield is taking over by opponent,they are weak will score less. Xavi has to work on the defence line, if he will compete with Real Madrid this season, But Barcelona has a come back mentality, but won't work for them always.

The thing I that most players at Barcelona are very versatile and can adapt comfortably to any positions they're played in and then if the preferred players for that position fails to impress  the coaches in the training ground the coach could be left with picking up players that are capable of delivering even though it means them playing out of the preferred wing, that's you'll see a Gavi deployed from the wing when they've got Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres.
 Well asides that the squad looks really balance this season and would likely perform better than they did last season even though they don't look strong enough to win it yet compared to other teams like Realmadrid, Bayern and Mancity, that's got more experienced champions league players in their team, however they've got the talent and there are still some players in the squad that are experienced in the Champions League as well.

I disagree with the statement that barcelona has better squad depth now because in fact Xavi often uses Gavi as a winger despite Ansu Fati and also despite Ferran Torres but Xavi prefers to use Lamine Yamal for the same position. This is clear when they have played a number of domestic league matches and in fact it has gone quite well and if Barcelona had good players for that position it would be impossible for them to risk players who are not in their proper positions or even install their academy players to be able to cover the gap. I think Xavi's rotation is very limited with the options available now and they need to have real targets to go further in the Champions League this season.

This is still just speculation or personal opinion. I've seen how Real Madrid have played in the three games that have been played in La Liga, they played quite well and managed to get three consecutive wins even though they haven't found the right person to replace Benzema. Real Madrid's best purchase this season Bellingham has played extraordinary, he has scored four goals in three La Liga games. His arrival to Real Madrid has given new hope to the Bernabeu public after they just lost their Legend who had gone to the Arab League.
Real Madrid will focus on the Champions League and also La Liga, Ancelotti is trying to give something of value to Real Madrid as the most beautiful farewell gift at the end of the season.

Real Madrid performed poorly in La Liga last season but played well in the Champions League, losing to the reigning champions in the semi-finals. So it may happen that this season they may do well in La Liga but poorly in the Champions League. We have to wait for the group stage and see how they perform.

The belief that Manchester City can win the Champions League again is always on the minds of all fans, but the big chance to get back the Champions League is not seen from the start of the season in the Premier League but to see in the team they have a completely perfect line-up and not can be easily matched by other teams.
From the defense side and the front line for attack, Manchester City is very mature and able to attack their opponents in every match in the Champions League.
We can also learn that some of the strongest teams have lost their mainstay players and I think at this point in this season only Manchester City still have a very perfect line-up.

We cannot rule out that Bellingham has contributed greatly in their three matches in their domestic competition. However, we can't measure how consistent they are when playing match after match. yep, considering that the 2023/2024 league has just started, they still have many matches to play. Madrid haven't found a team strong enough for them to play against, maybe there aren't many competitors in La Liga. but in this competition, there are several teams that are ready to face Madrid especially without Benzema in their squad.

IMO, Ancelotti cannot always rely on Bellingham as a determinant of their victory. I'm pretty sure Carlo Ancelotti knows that very well. no one doubts Bellingham, it's just that he is still very young, it doesn't even rule out the possibility that this player will experience ups and downs in his game. that's why, Ancelotti needs some plans against a team that is strong enough for them.
otherwise, other strong teams could become a barrier for Madrid in this competition. besides that, Ancelotti must increasingly create a strong chemistry between Vini jr, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham. thus, Carlo Ancelotti could have relied on them for Madrid's front line. but still, Ancelotti must have some other plans. especially, if you meet other strong teams like Bayern, Manchester City, and even other teams. well, because this competition hasn't started yet, it's best if we just turn our attention to the domestic league that will be played by Real Madrid.

Though not impossible, but I think it'll be quick for anyone who's followed the progress of this current Barcelona team under Xavi Hernandez to think they're capable enough to conquer the whole of Europe and lift the UEFA Champions League title this season.
Xavi Hernandez took the the managerial position of the club when they had lost most of their star players and were also experiencing financial issues which has made them not to be active in the transfer market like other European giants but since he became the manager of Barcelona, Xavi has significantly improved the performance of the team which was the reason they won the Spanish La Liga last season. Barcelona ate still progressive in my own opinion but the youngsters the manager is raising in the club still have few seasons to reach their peak and be able to win the UCL.

Barcelona is presently relying mostly on youthful and gifted players. The club is still lack of an experienced player in the club. It's good to give them all chances to play in UCL but experienced players actually needed by the club once it would be competing in UCl.
UCL where so many best of the best are competing each other to get the most prestigious trophy in EU. Barcelona needs to add more defenders. barca was conceded so many goals in la liga.

The current defensive lines are not enough to keep the goal keeper away from its opponent. Italian and english clubs gonna be even stronger than before.
Going to the play off can be considered as an impressive achievement by barcelona. Barcelona has not yet faced some clubs were having best qualities like city, intermilan or even bayern.

Even I also agree about this Barcelona can't win Champions League into this season but still now they are much better and experienced for having spot into knock-out stage and most chances they will be not knocked-out from group stage like last season because now situation is completed change and their players are having better depth with their strategy is also working which helping them for having better results and building a unit which will have good development for long run.

Now this season is surely going to have few good things as Barcelona is learning from mistakes and their targets are also changed with in last season their main focus was La Liga, but now they are also thinking to achieve better in Champions League this change of mind is going to help them.