Champions League, Europa League & Europa Vauxhall Conference League 25/26

[Beaulux]

Re clubs, it is undoubtedly because there are so few English / British players in the leading English teams. I am definitely not an Arsenal fan, but having five English players on Tuesday did endear them to me somewhat.

For the national team, I will of course support England when the time comes ( and stupidly get emotionally involved), but there is definitely a nasty element underlying the support. Imagine Farage wrapped in the flag.

The flag has definitely been debased, and this goes far beyond football.

[Stranded]

Interesting* that one tactic PSG seemed to use last night was kicking the ball out deep from goal kicks and then pressing Bayern hard to win the ball back up field by crowding the area around the throw in.

[6ft Kerplunk]

Wasn't sure if that was a tactic or the keeper was just shite at kicking the ball long.

[Stranded]

Wasn't sure if that was a tactic or the keeper was just shite at kicking the ball long.

Apparently they have done similar in Ligue 1 games - put the ball all out for a throw in on purpose and then crowd the area where the throw can go as it gives them a higher % chance of regaining the ball than directly from a goal kick.

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

Wasn't sure if that was a tactic or the keeper was just shite at kicking the ball long.

Apparently they have done similar in Ligue 1 games - put the ball all out for a throw in on purpose and then crowd the area where the throw can go as it gives them a higher % chance of regaining the ball than directly from a goal kick.

Mad - but completely correct - a throw-in is arguably penalising the beneficiary of the throw by having one fewer player on the pitch.

[Stranded]

Wasn't sure if that was a tactic or the keeper was just shite at kicking the ball long.

Apparently they have done similar in Ligue 1 games - put the ball all out for a throw in on purpose and then crowd the area where the throw can go as it gives them a higher % chance of regaining the ball than directly from a goal kick.

Mad - but completely correct - a throw-in is arguably penalising the beneficiary of the throw by having one fewer player on the pitch.

Potentially but in the 150 odd years of football, feels like the first time that this has been used to gain an advantage, however small. Clever.

[Winston Biscuit]

Due to the extra points you get for winning a game rather than drawing and advancing, and the 2 extra 'performance spots' available for Champions League qualification based on how many points a league earns, Rayo Vallacano's goalkeeper saving the penalty in the 94th minute last night apparently all but put Real Betis into the Champions League next season.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Due to the extra points you get for winning a game rather than drawing and advancing, and the 2 extra 'performance spots' available for Champions League qualification based on how many points a league earns, Rayo Vallacano's goalkeeper saving the penalty in the 94th minute last night apparently all but put Real Betis into the Champions League next season.

What happens if Arsenal and Villa both win? Will 6th and 7th get a Champions League spot, or are we capped at 5?

[Royal Rother]

Due to the extra points you get for winning a game rather than drawing and advancing, and the 2 extra 'performance spots' available for Champions League qualification based on how many points a league earns, Rayo Vallacano's goalkeeper saving the penalty in the 94th minute last night apparently all but put Real Betis into the Champions League next season.

What happens if Arsenal and Villa both win? Will 6th and 7th get a Champions League spot, or are we capped at 5?

If Villa win the EL and finish outside the Top 4 in the PL we get a 6th place.

If Arsenal win the CL it makes no difference as they can’t finish outside the Top 4.

The only way we could have got 7 places is if Liverpool had won the CL (and finished Top 5), Villa the EL (and then finished in 6th in the PL).

[Sutekh]

Due to the extra points you get for winning a game rather than drawing and advancing, and the 2 extra 'performance spots' available for Champions League qualification based on how many points a league earns, Rayo Vallacano's goalkeeper saving the penalty in the 94th minute last night apparently all but put Real Betis into the Champions League next season.

What happens if Arsenal and Villa both win? Will 6th and 7th get a Champions League spot, or are we capped at 5?

If Villa win the EL and finish outside the Top 4 in the PL we get a 6th place.

If Arsenal win the CL it makes no difference as they can’t finish outside the Top 4.

The only way we could have got 7 places is if Liverpool had won the CL (and finished Top 5), Villa the EL (and then finished in 6th in the PL).

Why? If Villa win the EL thing and qualify for the CL they’ll obviously take up a place in the CL so why the ***** would the PL be entitled to a 6 CL spot? If the winners of the EL get a place in the CL (but have already qualified via their league) then that place should go to the EL runners-up not some random non entity.

And if a 6th place is awarded are we all looking forward to Bournemouth v Bayern Munich and PSG.

It’s all so ridiculous, all desperately trying to make the second rate competitions attractive instead of just binning them.

[windermereROYAL]

Is the CL final free to view?

[6ft Kerplunk]

Is the CL final free to view?

I think it has to be. The last few years it's been free on Amazon Prime or something not on terrestrial TV. Unless the BBCs deal means they can show it now.

[stealthpapes]

What happens if Arsenal and Villa both win? Will 6th and 7th get a Champions League spot, or are we capped at 5?

If Villa win the EL and finish outside the Top 4 in the PL we get a 6th place.

If Arsenal win the CL it makes no difference as they can’t finish outside the Top 4.

The only way we could have got 7 places is if Liverpool had won the CL (and finished Top 5), Villa the EL (and then finished in 6th in the PL).

Why? If Villa win the EL thing and qualify for the CL they’ll obviously take up a place in the CL so why the ***** would the PL be entitled to a 6 CL spot? If the winners of the EL get a place in the CL (but have already qualified via their league) then that place should go to the EL runners-up not some random non entity.

And if a 6th place is awarded are we all looking forward to Bournemouth v Bayern Munich and PSG.

It’s all so ridiculous, all desperately trying to make the second rate competitions attractive instead of just binning them.

Villa get the place for individual merit
Another English team gets it for the performances across all the teams.

[6ft Kerplunk]

Is the CL final free to view?

I think it has to be. The last few years it's been free on Amazon Prime or something not on terrestrial TV. Unless the BBCs deal means they can show it now.

Looks like I'm wrong here. TNT Sports\HBOMax have decided this year you can only watch the three European finals on HBOMax and you have to have a subscription.

[Double C]

Is the CL final free to view?

I think it has to be. The last few years it's been free on Amazon Prime or something not on terrestrial TV. Unless the BBCs deal means they can show it now.

Looks like I'm wrong here. TNT Sports\HBOMax have decided this year you can only watch the three European finals on HBOMax and you have to have a subscription.

Another thing to add to the list about why the modern game is shit

[Sutekh]

I think it has to be. The last few years it's been free on Amazon Prime or something not on terrestrial TV. Unless the BBCs deal means they can show it now.

Looks like I'm wrong here. TNT Sports\HBOMax have decided this year you can only watch the three European finals on HBOMax and you have to have a subscription.

Another thing to add to the list about why the modern game is shit

Oh dear I might have to not watch any of them

[windermereROYAL]

TNT are the biggest money grabbing shit bags in the history of football, I think I`m correct in saying this is their last year for exclusivity of the European comps.
I hope sky get it back.

[6ft Kerplunk]

From 27/28 season Paramount have the Champions League and Sky have the two nobody gives a toss about until their team gets to the semis.

[Winston Biscuit]

Come on you Freiburgers!!

[Pepe the Horseman]

That was purdy.