Champions League: Real Madrid - Chelsea

@Burnley123 Courtois saved the 0-4

It's stll tense... but it's not as beautifull as City - Liverpool this weekend.

@Kwek00 That was such a great game for both skill and entertainment.

@Burnley123 Yes, from all the games that I've seen this season, this was the best game.

@Kwek00 Two great teams at their peak with two brilliant coaches. Both of them attack and take the initiative. Honestly, nobody else in the Premiership is anywhere near close to their level. Even Chelsea (who fighting this epic game against Real Madrid, the best team in Spain) is a level below.

@Burnley123 Bayern Munich and Chelsea are out

@Burnley123 Man... And Kevind De Bruyne was really really sharp on sunday. That last pass in the last second deserved a goal too.

@Kwek00 Yes. Game over. Chelsea put up a good fight but the damage was done in the first leg. Madrid is good but still the third favourite. They can't defend, press or pass quite as well as the top two English teams. Benzema and Rodrygo are star forwards and Courtois is a great keeper. If City or Liverpool plays well against them, Madrid will still get rolled over.

@Burnley123 Courtois is one of the big reasons why Real is still in there... against PSG in Paris Courtois is the only reason why they survived.

@Kwek00 [quote]Kevind De Bruyne was really really sharp on Sunday.[/quote]

Sharp? He was awesome. Amongst very tough competition, he was the best player on the pitch.

You once told me he was underrated but I'm not sure by who. Everyone here knows he is one of [i]the [/i]best players in the Premiership. He's the best creative centre-midfielder in world football and has been for at least five years.

@Kwek00 He saved Madrid a good few times in both legs of this tie too. Some other keepers are better with their feet but there is no better shot-stopper.

@Burnley123 I think he's the best midfielder of the world. He had some issues with injuries this year, but what he brings to the pitch when he plays is just incredible.

@Burnley123
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69qrIMIbPko]

I mean... What a pass in 2:22 ....
It curves right into the feet of the attacker.

@Kwek00 With midfielders, there are very different roles.

Kante does a completely different job, for example. Not to knock KDB because nobody does what he does better. Or indeed, does it as well.

Bernardo Silva (in the same team lol), Modric and Verratti are the nearest competitors and none is quite as good.

@Kwek00 [quote]I mean... What a pass in 2:22 ....[/quote]

How do you even see that pass? Let alone make it on your left foot.

Has Belgium ever produced a better player?

@Burnley123 Modric pass today was also brilliant...

Watching the highlights of Bayern vs Vila Real ... quite amazing that Vila Real is having another great season in the European competitions.

@Kwek00 I love this team and how far they punch above their weight. Their entire city could fit into Old Trafford twice. 😂

@Burnley123 No idea... I'm not following Football that closely. The only mythic guy that I know nothing about is "Van Himst" ... But yeah, from all the generations that I've conciously seen De Bruyne is just the best. But how long have I been saying that?

I remember him playing for KRC Genk (the Canaries), I watched him in Wolfsburg because Chelsea (Mourinho) didn't like him. And in City he's also pure gold. He played a great season in Wolfsburg too.

@Burnley123 If Vila Real somehow gets in the final... that would be insane

@Kwek00 Enzo Scifo was a Belgium player from the past who had a big rep. I don't remember much about him but I doubt he would have been better than KDB.

@Burnley123 From what I know from Scifo... I don't put him on the same level as the De Bruyne.

Same goes for Luc Nilis

@Kwek00 [quote] Vila Real somehow gets in the final... that would be insane[/quote]

I would like it but I struggle to believe it. They might beat Real Madrid (with a bit of luck) but it's hard to see them beating the other two.

Bayern is strong but they have injuries and have not been elite defensively. I despise the idea of a European Super League for lots of reasons. One of them is that stories like Villareal and Atalanta become impossible. Nobody is allowed to dream anymore.

@Burnley123 I'm watching the review now, but vilareal is doing the same thing they did last year in the champions league. They defend really well and sometimes have the opportunity to attack like greased lightning ... but it's more an athletico style game.

@Kwek00 Yes, they have a low block and counterattack well. Emery is a good coach. They have good tactics and motivation. I am still not sure whether they can beat the very best teams though.

@Kwek00 https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/soccer-predictions/champions-league/

As a technocrat, you might appreciate 538. Their statistical analysis of football is accurate more times than any bookmaker.

@Burnley123 They are deff the underdog...

They make a nice goal in minute 87, 3 passes and a dribble on the counter attack.