2017 Champions League Knockout stage

Jed Zeppelin

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Of course the linesman on this side is a hawkeye (both looked like the right call) while the other guy missed the much clearer call.
 

Zososoxfan

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Gotta say, this is a phenomenal watch as a neutral. Monaco not really playing anymore conservatively after their second and Dortmund looks threatening.
 

swiftaw

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I agree with the announcers when they say that its probably this year or bust for Monaco, there will be lots of bigger clubs swooping in for their players this summer.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Monaco has been a bit lucky but they are set up very well, defensively organized and lethal on the break. Jardim is a really good cup manager. He has taken a lot of scalps over the last few years with the "less talented" and certainly less expensive side - Arsenal, Spurs, City, and now perhaps BvB (obviously only halftime of the first leg but so far so good).

I still can't believe Arsenal are going to reup Wenger for two more years when they could almost certainly sign Jardim and quite possibly have him convince Mbappe to come to North London as well.
 

InstaFace

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I'm watching Atleti-Leicester and it has been all one-way traffic these first 12 minutes. I'm not sure Leicester have had 5 touches on the Atleti side of the field.
 

bosox4283

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I'm watching Atleti-Leicester and it has been all one-way traffic these first 12 minutes. I'm not sure Leicester have had 5 touches on the Atleti side of the field.
I was about to post the same thing. I'm a bit concerned Atleti can keep up this pace for 90 minutes, but the team can be patient with Griezmann trying to make a move up front.
 

InstaFace

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First two real chances for Leicester. Okazaki was just ahead of Vardy's cross.

Pretty open for a Leicester game. They're not parking the bus, per se, but they're not getting any of the...

oh wow, penalty against Albrighton.
 

bosox4283

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I like when we get to see Shakespeare then Simeone: it sort of sums up England vs. latin countries -- pale vs. tan, tracksuit vs. black suit, etc.
 

Vinho Tinto

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Javi Martinez must have had regular Red Bull and not sugar free at half time. Picked up a pair of yellows within 3 minutes and is out.
 

Zososoxfan

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Both these teams have beastly midfields, something that Barca clearly doesn't and a big reason why the top 3 in Europe is these clubs plus Juve and isn't a top 4. Also, lol @ Ramos giving the linesman a hi five like he was a teammate after harassing Robben.
 

bosox4283

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Torres gave his best effort, but he's having an off day. A game like this one demonstrates the talent gap between Torres and Gameiro, who is injured.
 

Zososoxfan

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Bayern-Real is being played at a blistering pace, and you can see both teams tiring. Looking for mental lapses and more space, or alternatively, more conservative play. Awesome that Bayern continues to attack a man down and has inserted a bunch of pacey players.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Playing with 10 isn't easy but this is the worse half of football I've seen Bayern play since they went on their current run of dominance circa 2012. They looked absolutely clueless from the opening whistle, even before they went down a man.
 

Zososoxfan

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Modric is damn strong for a little guy. Also, Bayern may want to pack it in, right now a 2-1 scoreline would be a victory.

Edit: Ha! Super duper offside though.
 

bosox4283

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Atletico did what it had to do. Those who watch the team knew it was going to be a tough match: Atletico is not that creative with the ball and Leicester was going to be comfortable sitting back. That said, I think Atletico can get a better result if Gameiro is fit for the second leg.

One of Atleti's biggest problems this year has been Nicolas Gaitan, and the problem is more noticeable with Augusto Fernandez and Tiago missing so much time with injuries. Their injuries opened the door to Gaitan to play and contribute, but he hasn't been near his best form.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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CP has made a huge difference since coming on.

Nice little play there by BvB
One thing you immediately notice about him is that he plays very direct. He doesn't lob many crosses into the box if he thinks he can take on his man and create a higher percentage chance by initiating his final ball closer to goal.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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One thing you immediately notice about him is that he plays very direct. He doesn't lob many crosses into the box if he thinks he can take on his man and create a higher percentage chance by initiating his final ball closer to goal.
Agreed. Also, for a player that young, his final ball and composure in the final third is really exceptional. There are so many young players that have electric dribbling skills and physical talent but the game is a little too fast for them mentally, especially in the final third, and so they tend to make the wrong decision or rush the final pass/finish. The game isn't too fast for Pulisic.
 

teddykgb

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Agreed. Also, for a player that young, his final ball and composure in the final third is really exceptional. There are so many young players that have electric dribbling skills and physical talent but the game is a little too fast for them mentally, especially in the final third, and so they tend to make the wrong decision or rush the final pass/finish. The game isn't too fast for Pulisic.
He's going to start attracting a lot of attention soon. His being American is a natural impediment as it takes him some time to convince everyone he's actually good. But once that is conquered, teams are going to salivate at the prospect of tapping the American marketing market with this kid. Obviously you can't do that with an American you can't play, so the level he seems to be showing will make him super intriguing for some very big sides, not just used to be big sides like Liverpool (j/k having fun).

I really hope he resists all overtures for a while. Dortmund is an excellent situation for him, my biggest concern is that he is tempted into a move he doesn't need to the PL or La Liga. There will be a time when an additional challenge might allow him to take it to another level and I will never begrudge a player the ability to make a large amount of money but from a development perspective I think another 2 or 3 years at Dortmund would be great for him.
 

Titans Bastard

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I actually don't think perceptions of Pulisic are hurt by his nationality. There is simply no space for doubt about whether an American like him can produce at a high level because he's already doing it. I could be wrong, but I sense he is getting as much or more hype in Europe than he is in the US.

Agree that he should stay at Dortmund for a while. He seems like a smart kid with good handlers, so hopefully he won't end up as one of those guys who went to Real Madrid too young, etc. He signed a contract extension with BVB through 2020 this past January, so it's unlikely he'll be looking to go ASAP.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Agreed. Also, for a player that young, his final ball and composure in the final third is really exceptional. There are so many young players that have electric dribbling skills and physical talent but the game is a little too fast for them mentally, especially in the final third, and so they tend to make the wrong decision or rush the final pass/finish. The game isn't too fast for Pulisic.
This is such a small random thing that I've seen, but I think it's an example of the above: He's really good at using the side/end lines and weighting his touches perfectly (like, to the last white blade of grass) to take the space given him without losing it out of bounds.
 

Merkle's Boner

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This is such a small random thing that I've seen, but I think it's an example of the above: He's really good at using the side/end lines and weighting his touches perfectly (like, to the last white blade of grass) to take the space given him without losing it out of bounds.
Which is probably why he was so pissed when the CONCACAF ref screwed up the call along the sideline against Panama a few weeks ago. He knew exactly what he was doing and could have been off to the races.