Champions League 2017/18

[Stoichkov1]

Changes need to be made if we're that pathetic in the CL. I don't care if we win La Liga by 30 points. And I certainly don't give a shit about CDR. Let Sevilla and Valencia fight for it if it means we have better chances in the CL.

Changes need to be made but sacking the manager isn't the solution, especially considering the summer we had. We lost Neymar and we were trashed by every team in CL, I honestly expected a trophyless season, not to trash real madrid at their own stadium and to be first in the league with a 7 points advantage over atletico and 17 over Real. If we're pathetic in the CL it's because of the players, because with the team he has Valverde is overachieving.

Also you're seriously underestimating Chelsea, we're favourites but they surely can eliminate us especially considering that they've already lost the league. We won't trash them for sure.

 

[ebc_99]

Every time we have got knocked out since 2010 it has been by a lesser team with Bayern being the exception. Inter, Chelsea, Atletico and Juve were all worse teams than us and this Chelsea team is worse now. If we get beat by a better team it's not too bad but it's so frustrating when we lose to teams we should beat.

If we lose to again to an inferior team it will be hard to take and we will have to look at why it keeps happening.

Domestically i couldn't be happier, odds on for our third double in 4 seasons, that would be exceptional. Our head to head record against the best teams is incredibly impressive in Spain but apart from 2015 we have struggled to peak in Europe.

I still think we are the best team in the world over a season and would back us to win any league, I am not as confident in a knockout competition, that said I think we will beat Chelsea.

 

[khaled_a_d]

There definitely need to be changes.

There should be no excuses this season. This team need to at least make the semis.

No one can with a straight face tell me two QF exits, and a R16 exit this season would be acceptable. This squad is just so much better than that. Not to forget Juve humiliated us last season too.

It is all about the draw, difference between QF & SF are just you could face the same opponent but in different round. A.Madrid was the best team in 2016 CL and we faced them in our worst time too. if we have met City or PSG in QF & then knocked out from AM we are still pretty much same team

 

[Morten]

Barca will knock out Chelski, payback for the absurd luck they had against Barca last time.

 

[DonAK]

It is all about the draw, difference between QF & SF are just you could face the same opponent but in different round. A.Madrid was the best team in 2016 CL and we faced them in our worst time too. if we have met City or PSG in QF & then knocked out from AM we are still pretty much same team

We went out in the QFs in 2014 too. Then last year we almost went out in the R16, but a miracle made us pass to the QF where we got knocked out after losing badly again.

The draw have a lot to say too, but the way we've been going out is the most disturbing aspect of it. The team heavily underperformed in 2014, 2016 and 2017. Looked bad, got outplayed.

Cannot excuse that with the players in the team.

If we go out to Chelsea. This Chelsea. Then something have to be done because it won't be acceptable despite our great domestic season. I don't see how anyone can even argue against that. The board and fans should be able to demand better.

Okay, if we get a bad draw and go out because we've been unlucky, hit the post multiple times, had several great chances, or heavy underdogs, no problem. It happens. But getting outplayed or underperforming big time?

Cannot happen again this season.

It's time for the players to take some responsibility too. If they can't, then they shouldn't play for Barca or take a paycut. I like what Pique said today about learning from what's been happening last few seasons and how it cannot be repeated.

It also seems like he doesn't think even a domestic double will make up for a poor CL title challenge.

"Expectations are maximum. We go out as favourites, with a chance to win. I know the atmosphere is positive, very favourable, everything looks good, but I think we have to be more prudent. We have to learn from experience, what has happened in recent years and know that one bad day could see you knocked out of the Champions League. A bad result against Chelsea could turn the good season we are having into one that's not so good."

In that sense, Pique added: "That's why we have to go there with iron feet. We know where we are, in La Liga and in the cup we're in a good position, and now we have to do it in the Champions League. That's why we will play Chelsea with the aim of getting a good result, to try to win to take the first step in this tie."

 

[DonAK]

I'm not going to demand a CL win, but I'm certainly going to demand a proper challenge where we don't get humiliated or underperform heavily.

More than Real Madrid winning, this have been my main problem with this team. They simply haven't performed well enough. We definitely deserved to go out in 2014, 2016 and in 2017.

If that's too much to demand for some people, to make a proper challenge, then they should start following Borussia Dortmund where they can count moral victories and getting trashed as a victory and give themselves a participation trophy.

 

[KingLeo10]

I'm not going to demand a CL win, but I'm certainly going to demand a proper challenge where we don't get humiliated or underperform heavily.

More than Real Madrid winning, this have been my main problem with this team. They simply haven't performed well enough. We definitely deserved to go out in 2014, 2016 and in 2017.

If that's too much to demand for some people, to make a proper challenge, then they should start following Borussia Dortmund where they can count moral victories and getting trashed as a victory and give themselves a participation trophy.

2014 and 2017 (especially) were deserved exits. 2016 we were denied a pen in calderon that would have put us through.


EDIT: actually given messi and neymar's pen records, the pen isn't really any guarantee

 

[Barcilliant]

The problem is every frigging year we do well domestically and people are willing to give a pass when it comes to cl. Excuses like luck, ref decisions, the draw, they parked the bus etc are used.

The time for excuses are over. It's time for Messi and this team to take up the challenge and perform. I'm sick of these exits to inferior teams.

 

[Barcilliant]

2012was genuine bad luck, just freakish but the other losses we sucked.

 

[Barcilliant]

Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Eto, Henry, Vila, Ibra, Suarez, Neymar... and of course Messi.

Name any other club that can rival that roster of players....

 

[Barcilliant]

.... And yet we have still underachieved in the cl.

 

[raki]

2014 and 2017 (especially) were deserved exits. 2016 we were denied a pen in calderon that would have put us through.


EDIT: actually given messi and neymar's pen records, the pen isn't really any guarantee

Messi conversion rate is only 4% lower tham penaldo... respect messi

 

[Barcilliant]

Another concern is Messi's performance or lack of in these exits. Either he hasn't been up for it or we've just failed to utilize him properly in these tough ties.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Eto, Henry, Vila, Ibra, Suarez, Neymar... and of course Messi.

Name any other club that can rival that roster of players....

You forgot Maradona.

Insane roster for sure.

Barcelona fans has had the pleasure of having amazing players through the years. We are super spoiled.

 

[Barcilliant]

You forgot Maradona.

Insane roster for sure.

Barcelona fans has had the pleasure of having amazing players through the years. We are super spoiled.

Yeah, true.