The European football thread

~~Cuthbert~~ · 02-11-2013, 06:28 PM

You do have a point there actually.

I remember in the 90's, groups like City's (Dortmund, Madrid, Ajax) were the norm. These days the groups are a formality as more teams are let in. Still think it's the best competition in the world as far as the quality goes though. Most of the best games I've seen within the last 5 years were CL knockouts.

**Goofle** · 02-11-2013, 07:01 PM

He doesn't have a point. The champion of some crap League isn;t as good as the 4th place in the PL.

We want to see the best football, not anything else.

~~Cuthbert~~ · 02-11-2013, 07:08 PM

And he's right, you don't see the best football possible. It isn't a patch on what it was in the 90's. Who gives a crap about Braga vs Cluj?

In the 90's the groups were pretty much all "groups of death". United had Byaern, Barca and Brondby in 99. Barca didn't even make it through. They then had Inter, Juve and Bayern again in the final.

I agree with him. Not to the extent that it should only be champions in the competition but a lot of the games are crap in the groups.

Past the groups though, nothing is better including the World Cup. There shouldn't be 4 places given to any league anyway, it was perfect when it was the top 2 with the 2nd having to qualify in the preliminary rounds.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 02-11-2013, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofle11

He doesn't have a point. The champion of some crap League isn;t as good as the 4th place in the PL.

We want to see the best football, not anything else.

Really?

I remember the 80s when the competition was like that and teams from Belgium, Yugoslavia, Denmark, Scotland, Austria and many other lesser leagues got to semi finals & finals and even won them. Hell, I remember watching Aberdeen beating Real Madrid in the 1983 Cup Winners Cup final.

If you're so sure that 4th place in the premier league is better than say the champions of somewhere unfashionable then let them play a knockout game over 2 legs and justify it.

**Goofle** · 02-11-2013, 07:21 PM

The quality is higher now than ever before. **** teams in the 90's were worse than than they are now.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 02-11-2013, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofle11

The quality is higher now than ever before. **** teams in the 90's were worse than than they are now.

Due to the top clubs looking after themselves and ensuring they play in the competition every year.

~~Cuthbert~~ · 02-11-2013, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofle11

The quality is higher now than ever before. **** teams in the 90's were worse than than they are now.

No, the quality of the CL is nowhere near what it was in the 90's. This is further backed by the fact from 95-99 five different teams from five different countries won the European Cup.

Ajax
Juventus
Dortmund
Real Madrid
United

There were hardly any crap teams in the Champions League in the 90's.

**Goofle** · 02-11-2013, 07:26 PM

There's a reason why teams from Germany, Spain, England and Italy always make it furthest and have more teams allocated - they are the best four footballing Nations in Europe. The other League's need to catch up and justify their place in the competition first.

**Goofle** · 02-11-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffy Kittens

No, the quality of the CL is nowhere near what it was in the 90's. This is further backed by the fact from 95-99 five different teams from five different countries won the European Cup.

Ajax
Juventus
Dortmund
Real Madrid
United

There were hardly any crap teams in the Champions League in the 90's.

Saying who won doesn't change the quality

And you just pretty much explained why England, Spain, Italy and Germany have more teams allocated - they are the better footballing Nations.

I don't agree with the group round at first, there should be knockouts, then two groups of four. Winner of each group plays in the final.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 02-11-2013, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofle11

There's a reason why teams from Germany, Spain, England and Italy always make it furthest and have more teams allocated - they are the best four footballing Nations in Europe. The other League's need to catch up and justify their place in the competition first.

And why do you think these allocations started in the first place?
Because UEFA wanted the glamour teams with the biggest crowds and most history in the competition being in it regularly and that was something that the teams themselves exploited by forming the G14 putting those other clubs and an even bigger disadvantage.

02-11-2013, 06:28 PM	#81 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	You do have a point there actually. I remember in the 90's, groups like City's (Dortmund, Madrid, Ajax) were the norm. These days the groups are a formality as more teams are let in. Still think it's the best competition in the world as far as the quality goes though. Most of the best games I've seen within the last 5 years were CL knockouts.

02-11-2013, 07:08 PM	#83 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	And he's right, you don't see the best football possible. It isn't a patch on what it was in the 90's. Who gives a crap about Braga vs Cluj? In the 90's the groups were pretty much all "groups of death". United had Byaern, Barca and Brondby in 99. Barca didn't even make it through. They then had Inter, Juve and Bayern again in the final. I agree with him. Not to the extent that it should only be champions in the competition but a lot of the games are crap in the groups. Past the groups though, nothing is better including the World Cup. There shouldn't be 4 places given to any league anyway, it was perfect when it was the top 2 with the 2nd having to qualify in the preliminary rounds.