Fight! Fight! Fight! BSK-BAY + BAR-CHE 2nd Leg Champions Thread

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We got a true doubleheader today, with an early kickoff in Turkey. That game promises flares in the stands; the one in Catalonia, fireworks on the field.

Beşiktaş (Turkey) vs. Bayern Munich (Germany) – 12:00 Central (0-5 aggregate)

Beşiktaş went undefeated in the Champions League group stage, albeit against Porto (embarrassed by Liverpool), Monaco, and Leipzig. The Turkish club had promise: in the offseason they signed Pepe from Real Madriz. As the club already had Chilean Gary Medel, Beşiktaş became the highest rated club in UEFA’s Evil Coefficient.

9/23/17 Medel (left) and Pepe discuss conceding the late winner by Fenerbahçe, via acidic-saurian.deviantart.com

Pepe is out with a fractured toe. Bayern goalie Manuel Neuer, captain of the team and of the German National Team, continues to be out. Not that Neuer’s been needed; the Bundesliga is Bayern’s and this match is dead rubber. According to bundesliga.com, Colombian James Rodríguez will return to the lineup after missing the last league game with a sore calf. He’s worth watching, as will be the crowd in Istanbul.

Beşiktaş received a “suspended two year suspension” from European play for an Europa League match last April—i.e., a “pay the fine for now” probation. I’m not rooting for a riot in Istanbul, but I’ll say this: not being a fan of the Turkish Süper Lig, methinks this will be my last use of “ş” in a loooong time.

Predicción: Beşiktaş 1 – 1 Bayern (Bayern wins on 6-1 aggregate).

Hippo: I made pretty good moneys betting that City would sleepwalk through a similar match.  But the Germans are too mechanical and evil for that.

Predicción: 0-2 to the Krauts (Bayern 7-0 aggregate)

Balls:  I too wish that Beşiktaş had a better shot at this game,  but this will just be playing out the string.  I agree with my good friend Don T in that it will end in a tie.

Prediction: Let’s call it 2-2 and hope it’s as entertaining on the pitch as it will be off…

Litre_Cola: I for one have been to quite a few stadia when I lived over there but I never got a chance to go to a game in Turkey. I reaaaallly want to see a game, hell, I would kill to see Galatasaray v  Beşiktaş and would probably have to during the 90 minutes. With a 5-0 advantage Bayern walks through this one, goals are scored, flares are lit, chairs are thrown and that’s just in the Turkish neighboUrhoods in Deutschland.

Prognose: 1-3 Bayern. (Bayern 10-1 aggregate)

I am an admitted futbol nerd due to the local atmosphere on matchday and the fact that all you need is a ball and a couple of trees for anyone to play. I enjoy this video immensely.

Barcelona (Spain, for now) vs. Chelsea (UK) – 2:45 PM Central (1-1 aggregate)

I have fears. On the first leg, in London, Chelsea seemed like the aggressors. I still can’t believe Barcelona walked away with a tie, and only because of a lazy pass among defenders and an impeccable Iniesta-Messi set / kill.

This game also brings bad memories. In 2012, Chelsie went to the Camp Nou for the second leg in the Champions semis, leading 1-0. Barça scored two quick goals and John Terry got a red card (which made him miss the final; it’s the little things, people). But then Chelski got the away goal, Lionel Messi missed a PK, and then Fernando Torres put in the 2-2.

But what I really remember about this game was, late in the second half, The Flea was gonna murder—murder—Fat Frank. Thanks YouTube, for proving I’m not THAT senile.

Chelski went on to win the Champions that year in the final in Munich, against Bayern (one of the biggest chokes in sports history, IMO). That 2012 Chelsea team had a deflating EPL campaign and plenty of coaching controversy. Ultimately, not even the team’s first Champions trophy saved the manager: Roberto DiMatteo (current whereabouts, Wikipedia).

This year, Antonio Conte has gotten mostly grief. The 2017 EPL trophy and historic run appear farther than they are, because top-flight fútbol is an ungrateful, what-have-you-done-for-me-since-yesterday business. I like Conte, a lot. He deserves a better owner and likely will get it next season, regardless of today’s result.

Messi will play with extra rest, in theory. He missed last Saturday’s La Liga game with Málaga for the birth of his third son: Ciro. For mortals, two kids at home, PLUS a newborn, are the opposite of rest. But Messi ain’t mortal; he’s lethal:

Over the jumpers at the barrier, right into the top corner. Dios. Mío.

Predicción: Barcelona 2 – Chelsea 0 (Barça wins 3-1 on aggregate).

Hippo: I have had it up to here with evil.  Up to HERE, I says!  One can get fabuloso odds on Chelski going into Camp Nou and stealing this’un, but then again, a fool and his moneys are soon parted.  I would know.  Another English side bites the dust (optimistically typing this before the Manure home leg).

Predicción: 3-1 to the good (Barça 4-2 on aggregate)

Balls:  It’s hard to be objective about the teams you like.  No matter what,  you figure out a way for them to win,  no matter the odds. With Barcelona, it’s easier because the team is good and SHOULD win most games.

Having this game at home helps a lot.  So does the away goal. However,  this team tends to sleepwalk through large portions of games and gets caught by aggressive teams. Chelsea is one of those type of teams.

Predicción: I don’t see the Catalans losing at home.  Call it 2-0 in a tense match that gets resolved in the second half thanks to Messi brilliance off a set piece.

Litre_Cola: Ok, I hate daylight savings time, it messes with my system, but when Europe does it a couple weeks later than us over here it’s great for futbol viewing. I still believe that central time is the best viewing time for all sports, I miss it.

I’m a Barca supporter in Europe and I’m a Fulham supporter for life so I hate Chelsea with everything I have. The best day will be when a wrecking ball knocks down soulless Stamford Bridge and they actually move to Chelsea. I however admit  that I would love to have a couple of smokes and a chat with Conte as he is a very interesting fellow. This is in Catalonia, Messi should feast on Chelsea’s back four and Barca will not lose this early in the Champions League.

Predicción: 2-1 Barca (FCB 3-2 on aggregate)

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Don T
Poor choices, mixed results. ¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre! Titans4Eva
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ballsofsteelandfury

Woooo!!! Barça!!

Buddy Cole's Halftime Show

On the topic of Turkish football, I remember reading a story about how Man U went to Galatasaray in the second leg of the ’93 European Cup. Ferguson made sure to bring along most of the Class of ’92 because he wanted to them to experience ‘Hell’ and see what it took to get through Europe.

Oh I miss the Ali Sami Yen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvfFVK6O_4M

rockingdog

Got caught up in my schoolwork and forgot Chelsea was playing today.
Yea they got smoked. Figures…..

rockingdog

Also found a funny:

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Fucking hilarious how atheists always are referred to as smug, arrogant assholes and godsquadders put out bullshit like this cartoon and receive no grief whatsoever.

Wakezilla

That was a HAZARDous pass

King Hippo

MOAR Hinds FOAR Barca ass-whoopin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk-5w3Di0jk

Wakezilla

Think they’ll put Torres on for one last ditch effort to catch Barthelona?

Wakezilla

THIS LIONEL MESSI, I CALL THE GRENFELL TOWER FIRE BECAUSE HE’S BURNING CHELSEA ALIVE!

litre_cola

This is absolutely superb.

litre_cola

Good call Wakezilla. The kid goes off.

King Hippo

God, Courtois looked silly as fuck

King Hippo

Horse? In el barno

litre_cola

Si. That was beautiful.

Wakezilla

LOL.. . . Messi schooled Fabregas with a dummy.

Hey TWBS: Sexy Friday Suggestion: Barcelona fans.

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Wakezilla

Kind of surprised Paulinho went on for Inestia and not for Dembele

litre_cola

Iniesta cant go 90 mins on most days. Now Gomes coming in, maybe they play the kid all game.

theeWeeBabySeamus

You soccer hooligans are the turriblest peeplez.
Go take a nap and wait for the good sports later.
(papers signed, earnest money in hand, house is sold, closes in less than a week, btw)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAOnUF8t20w

Wakezilla

Counter point: Hot chicks like soccer

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theeWeeBabySeamus

You have my attention.
Also, in spite of her being very attractive, I think she needs to eat a sammich or sumpin.

I’m cooking, so she’s welcome.

litre_cola

That was a reeeall bad call

King Hippo

I agree with the lady American commentator – clear dive. Real time, I agreed. Ref got it right.

litre_cola

We have crazy Ray on the beIn broadcast

King Hippo

diving cunt

litre_cola

I think he got touched.

King Hippo

maybe barely, but the touch didn’t make him go down, he dove

SonOfSpam

Look, you may not LOVE Greg Louganis, but that’s a bit much.

King Hippo

You can get 3:1 on Chelski just winning the 2nd half – pulling back 1, meaningless goal. 1.75:1 to keep the deficit the same.

litre_cola

Good odds but I will never bet on Chelsea. Ever.

King Hippo

I ain’t bet it but like the odds of margin staying the same

Wakezilla

Barcelona is looking pretty good

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litre_cola

Barca hasnt lost a game in La Liga or in the champs league this year. That is crazy.

King Hippo

they’re ok, I guess

litre_cola

What a fucking goal!!

King Hippo

only question left is whether Barca make it embarrassing

Buddy Cole's Halftime Show

I’m just glad Stephen Hawking was able to upstage National Walkout Day

King Hippo

well, he could hardly join them

King Hippo

Third minute? Yup. Messi? Yup.

King Hippo

Messi and child pic is creepy as fuck. Spaniards, man. Except for Hinds. Here they are playing sexy Lesser Footy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpQgrWndsLg

theeWeeBabySeamus

I’m confident no alcohol had been consumed.

King Hippo

go NAWT Chelski!!

/I will make a princely sum of $90 if the fuckwads win, but DO NOT WANT

Wakezilla

And the Krauts get the obvious Dubbya.

Was Cyle Larin not allowed to play in the Champions League due to the fact he signed in the Winter transfer Window? Bestikas really needed him

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3q8Od5qJio

litre_cola

Boss just left. Should give me enough time to get home. Once again our “sports” networks do not have the game on cable.

Wakezilla

It’s on TSN, playboy.

litre_cola

Saw on twitter people moaning about NFL free agency taking up 4 channels on TSN and I assumed the other was curling. Most listings say BeIn sports only
When do you move here?

Wakezilla

In like 3 weeks. Moving out of province is a pain in the ass, expensive as shit and packing with a toddler is hard as fuck

ballsofsteelandfury

You called the score!

Wakezilla

/record scratch.

There’s Canadians on teams I have heard of and doing well? Time to re-do my bracket.

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Wakezilla

Kentucky and Tennesse are about to go on a magic run, baby! That’s what happens when you have mother Canuckers on your team.

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Wakezilla

Finally got around to filling out my bracket. I’m not sure what’s more messed up: My final four or the fact I have New Mexico going on a run.

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blaxabbath

Honestly, Mathieu was too expensive for his production anyways. As much as I liked the guy, he’ll benefit greatly from a ‘change of scenery’ situation — and some other fanbase will get to enjoy him being on their roster.

Unsurprised

Damn reddit native video format. Anyway, I need to show this to my 92 and 93 year old neighbors. https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/84bqhr/93_is_the_new_39/

Unsurprised
SonOfSpam

My kid just texted me a pic of the walkout at her school. Proud of her (even if it’s just to get the fuck outta class for a bit).

Wakezilla

What are they protesting?

SonOfSpam

Wanting to not get shot while at school. Demanding little bastards.

Unsurprised

MURICA

Wakezilla

Oh that? Lame. They all play fortnight and Call of Duty. It should be fairly easy to not get shot.

They should be protesting the right to carry a gun to school. Imagine if every student had a gun. Someone goes rogue, it ends in a hurry because hundreds/over a thousand students have a gun to end it.

I’ll take my 3 million dollar salary now, NRA.

Brick Meathook

.

Brick Meathook

This makes sense, since the shooters are also students. No shooters at school = no school shootings.

King Hippo

the solution for a bad student with a gun is obvs a good student with a gun.

ARM ALL TEH TEENAGERS, SEE WHAT HAPPEN!!

King Hippo

fucking libtards ,, smh

Wakezilla

So, are they sure Stephen Hawking died and not that his computer crashed?

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Beerguyrob

Kinda sad/impressed I remember this.

Wakezilla

TBF, Cagney is a unique name

Beerguyrob

Also, they both worked with Ms Lords back in the day.

ballsofsteelandfury

$12 is the perfect DFO price for this film.

Wakezilla

Bestikas fans booed the Champions League anthem? I want those sons of bitches fired!

Unsurprised
Beerguyrob

Delightful

Unsurprised

HOT TAEK: Put all minors, old people, and animals on the No-Fly List.

Fuck it. Everyone except fat people and the disabled has to bike everywhere.

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Beerguyrob

United’s already started taking care of that. First – puppies; next – children.

OVERHEAD BINS FOR ALL!

Unsurprised

I hate children, so I’m fine with this.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Wednesday conference calls; SWEET!

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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ballsofsteelandfury

Love the unnecessary a.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

I think it is a UK way of spelling it, though it seems to be spelled both ways. Tyres.