So we have Real and Bayern in the CL......

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

This league phase was meant to make things more exciting but it's done the opposite. It was much better when we didn't meet fellow top teams till the knockouts so they meant something - whether knocking out RM or getting hammered by BM.

Yet another example of sports administrators killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

FFS we were playing BM and Inter as fellow 1st seeds last year and all of us rested players for our weekend league games. So much for the premier competition.

[pjlincs]

Real Madrid (h), Bayern Munich (a), Borussia Dortmund (h), Real Betis (a), Lille (h), Napoli (a), Sabah (h) and Slavia Prague (a).

I think it's more interesting than a four team group that the top clubs are certain to sail through. There is more jeopardy in this new set up. And we get to see a mix of opposition, 7 clubs rather than just 3.

[redgunamo]

This league phase was meant to make things more exciting but it's done the opposite. It was much better when we didn't meet fellow top teams till the knockouts so they meant something - whether knocking out RM or getting hammered by BM.

Yet another example of sports administrators killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

FFS we were playing BM and Inter as fellow 1st seeds last year and all of us rested players for our weekend league games. So much for the premier competition.

Gotta share out the home tie monies, G. Or we'll be off to the Super League again.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Real Madrid (h), Bayern Munich (a), Borussia Dortmund (h), Real Betis (a), Lille (h), Napoli (a), Sabah (h) and Slavia Prague (a).

I think it's more interesting than a four team group that the top clubs are certain to sail through. There is more jeopardy in this new set up. And we get to see a mix of opposition, 7 clubs rather than just 3.

Yeah, and I get Red's point below about the money and the owners who want a super-league.

But a one-off game vs RM is a glorified friendly compared to playing them over 2 legs in the knockouts. Likewise BM.

It stops those games being special. When will humanity realise you can have too much of a good thing?

[pjlincs]

Yeah, and I get Red's point below about the money and the owners who want a super-league.

But a one-off game vs RM is a glorified friendly compared to playing them over 2 legs in the knockouts. Likewise BM.

It stops those games being special. When will humanity realise you can have too much of a good thing?

Assuming you get to the knock-outs!

[pjlincs]

I did add the AWIMB red card emoji to the above!!

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Assuming you get to the knock-outs!

Oh, thank you. I actually get it now.

Those teams in it to just make up the numbers {mostly} at least get a couple of one off games against a famous first seed. So every now and then, one will beat a Real or Juve etc and their fans will remember it forever.

Yeah, that makes sense. A Euro version of Grimsby knocking out ManU from the LC last year.

Fairy Nuff.

Still, Quantum to tear RM a new one with Vini doing nothing and Konsa {still can't think of a nickname - help, chaps}* to have Kane in his pocket all night.

*Actually, Ezri will do. Has my and my missus first initials together in it.

Though if there was an extra E, we could have Easy and Easier in the same side.