NFT: Champions League: Liverpool vs. Roma first leg FS1

incredible player

2 goal and 2 assists. The space Roma are allowing Liverpool is crazy.

Midfield absent, Kolarov steps up and leaves the most in form player in Europe alone.

The complete no show from the Roma midfield can not be overstated. Roma are playing with 8 men.

5-0

.

your typical Super Bowl.

from the Liverpool front three. Salah is a magician.

But this is some of the worst defending, at this level, that I've ever seen

In comment 13928855 Go Terps said:

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Midfield absent, Kolarov steps up and leaves the most in form player in Europe alone. The complete no show from the Roma midfield can not be overstated. Roma are playing with 8 men.

I think Naiggolan is really overrated and worthless in big games. They should have played 5 at the back because Liverpool's speed is just too much. Nothing like that in Italy.

insurmountable.

In comment 13928878 Heisenberg said:

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insurmountable.

and there goes that idea

Big goal for Dzeko

PK, not over yet

2 big away goals here

and Roma has capitalized.

In Rome I'd be sending him and Schenk long ball after long ball. Bypass Liverpool's press.

minutes

5-2. Liverpool still firmly in control of this tie, but they did make things more difficult on themselves.

Brilliant offense followed by some real head scratching lapses on defense.

I would have signed on for 5-2 at the beginning of the game though.

Roma will probably go home after losing by 3 and think, "Hey, we can do this!" Particularly after having beaten Barca two weeks ago under similar circumstances.

In comment 13928904 Heisenberg said:

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Brilliant offense followed by some real head scratching lapses on defense. I would have signed on for 5-2 at the beginning of the game though.

Agreed. See the West Brom game this past Saturday. Frankly, they had a similar type season with Rodgers when the finished second in 2013-14. That team was a mchine too with Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling. They really gave the season away to Chelsea.

Kills me sometimes, just kills me

Because I don't see any scenario at all where Roma can keep them scoreless. They are not suddenly going to be able to stop them and keep up with their speed in only 1 week. Now, I don't think Liverpool will score 5 but I wouldn't be surprised if they scored at least 2 away goals too.

Kimmich taking advantage of Marcelo's aggressiveness.

but have lost Robben and may lose Boateng

In comment 13931037 Kevin in Annapolis said:

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but have lost Robben and may lose Boateng

to injury I should add

1-1.

.

They can look like shit and still get goals. Their effort level is inconsistent, which is why Barcelona has dominated over the long league calendar, but in a tournament setting with the away goals rule Real Madrid is a bitch to deal with.

3-1, at least.

Run of play is in Bayern's favor but they squander chances and Real takes advantage of the first one they get. It's impressive

In comment 13931037 Kevin in Annapolis said:

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but have lost Robben and may lose Boateng

Every injury taking on extra meaning with the World Cup 50 days away. Feel terrible for Oxlade Chamberlain, ruled out for England after his injury last night

Yup. That's why I was happy to see Barcelona go out, and am rooting for Bayern here. I'm dreading seeing Isco suffer a bad injury.

One thing to keep in mind about Real Madrid is they've been vulnerable at the Bernabeu this season. Bayern can go there and get a result...if I were Heynckes I'd focus on locking this match down and not conceding again. If I get another goal, great...but I'm not letting Real score again.

.

Asensio is pretty good.

Got to imagine Neuer stops that one if he's in. Too bad

Each as an opposite footed winger cutting inside. Isco is a legit candidate to win the Golden Boot in Russia.

And at the other end, Ribery has wasted a few gilt-edged chances.

This has the feel of 3-1 or 4-1 with Cristiano grabbing his typical icing on the cake goal.

In comment 13931193 Go Terps said:

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Each as an opposite footed winger cutting inside. Isco is a legit candidate to win the Golden Boot in Russia. And at the other end, Ribery has wasted a few gilt-edged chances.

Isco has Ballon D'Or potential, just is not on the right club team

Hoping for an equalizer.

Maybe he's too concerned with playing for Real Madrid instead of against them.

I can't understand this guy...you're playing for Bayern Munich, maybe the best run sports organization in the entire world, located in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Why would you be itching to leave for the zoo that is Real Madrid? If I were a professional footballer I don't know that there's a club I'd rather play for than Bayern.

In comment 13931274 Go Terps said:

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Maybe he's too concerned with playing for Real Madrid instead of against them. I can't understand this guy...you're playing for Bayern Munich, maybe the best run sports organization in the entire world, located in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Why would you be itching to leave for the zoo that is Real Madrid? If I were a professional footballer I don't know that there's a club I'd rather play for than Bayern.

Money. Can't imagine any other reason.

How the hell did Real Madrid win that match?

but there's no denying the success in this competition. Champions League is the final trophy for Lewandowski to win.

Gotta be fair.

In comment 13931286 Kyle in NY said:

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In comment 13931274 Go Terps said: Quote: Maybe he's too concerned with playing for Real Madrid instead of against them. I can't understand this guy...you're playing for Bayern Munich, maybe the best run sports organization in the entire world, located in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Why would you be itching to leave for the zoo that is Real Madrid? If I were a professional footballer I don't know that there's a club I'd rather play for than Bayern. Money. Can't imagine any other reason. How the hell did Real Madrid win that match?

Can't imagine any other reason? How about them going for their 9th trophy in 2 1/2 years under Zidane? Oh and looking to 3peat in the UCL after becoming the first team to win back to back trophies in the UCL? Maybe that's why? Just throwing it out there.

Terps come on now. Real Madrid isn't a zoo at this point and it hasn't been under Zizou.

Lewandowski makes 225k a week at Bayern. Ramos makes 200k a week at Madrid. He isn't coming in and topping the captain.

Zidane is year to year there. If they don't win the Champions League he might not be the manager next year. It's crazy to say, but it's the truth. As long as Florentino Perez is there, it's a zoo.

And it's not like Bayern isn't winning trophies either.

but the Liga trophy is still a bigger trophy than the UCL. As is the EPL trophy, and the Bundesliga trophy.

The league is fundamentally the best indicator of who the best teams are. This year, it's unquestionably been Barcelona, Man City, and Bayern in whatever order you want to put them in.

but as a tournament the format is kind of a joke. The skids are greased for the same teams to be there more or less every year. I think it would mean more and be more interesting if it reflected its actual name and only allowed the champions of each league. I think it used to be that, more or less, back in the day. But when the money gets big you do what you have to to ensure the Reals and Man Us of the world get in.

In comment 13931336 Go Terps said:

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Zidane is year to year there. If they don't win the Champions League he might not be the manager next year. It's crazy to say, but it's the truth. As long as Florentino Perez is there, it's a zoo. And it's not like Bayern isn't winning trophies either.

I really think Perez has calmed down or changed his ways at least partially. He's stayed a few times it's up to Zizou when he wants to leave. He's also been much much better on the transfer market. Hasn't brought in any big names in a few years. This year he needs to, but it's out of necessity as opposed to just buying guys for the sake of buying guys.

Bayern is in a one team league though. That shit has to get boring. They just said today Bayern only has 3 home losses in their last 44 UCL games. All 3 to Madrid. Lewy is getting older. He wants a Champions League.

I think the teams you listed do to. Bayern would trade a UCL for a Bundesliga trophy all day. Barca board is pissed at Valverde for going out to Roma. If the league was bigger then Valverde wouldn't be at odds with Barca's board.

Gonna be good days ahead for Real fans...Messi, Busquets, and Ter Stegen are papering over the cracks but anything happens to one of them and Barcelona falls off a cliff.

The Champions League is bigger for marketing, the league titles tell you who the best teams are.