Live Match Discussion 2024/25

[jd1981]

The big difference you are missing is the quality of the nations was a lot closer due to the lack of migration. So Forest may have only beaten Malmo, but that team had 10 Swedish Internationals in it. The Anderlecht team that Villa beat in the 82 semis had 6 players from their 82 World Cup team including Franky Vercauteren. Also trips behind the iron curtain were levelers given the conditions on and off the pitch.

Then the most obvious stat, you had to win the league (or prior year competition) to enter, not finish 5th

Yeah true nevertheless you’d still back Forest to have beaten the Swedish national side back then in a hypothetical scenario.
Conversely you didn’t have as much South American migration to Europe as you do now or 20 years ago.
Great achievements however the competition is unrecognisable in comparison to today.
Had the same format existed back do I think they’d have still won it very possibly, would they have retained probably not.
If the CL reverted back to its 1 team per nation then the teams very the big leagues could easily coast to the QF.

 

[Tony Towner]

The Liverpool team of the same time would have pretty comfortably beaten England too, with Thompson being the only player who'd start for both I think. Neal, McDermott and pre Spurs Clemence in the squad.

It'd be pointless bringing that format back now for the reasons you say, but I do think you are underplaying the competitiveness.

 

[KiwiWolf61]

The Liverpool team of the same time would have pretty comfortably beaten England too, with Thompson being the only player who'd start for both I think. Neal, McDermott and pre Spurs Clemence in the squad.

It'd be pointless bringing that format back now for the reasons you say, but I do think you are underplaying the competitiveness.

Agreed.

It all goes back to the football pyramid where yesteryear it was there but nowhere near as pronounced as it is today where the spread of the top players was across far more teams.

 

[Jack Regan]

Good start for Arsenal...

 

[ROVERT47]

Pulis ball 2025 put to shame by the silky skills of PSG.

 

[Squeak]

Luv it... Captain Black aggressively pointing at his watch to the ref... ref promptly blows for full time.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

Since when did Sam Johnstone play for Barca?

 

[YoungWolf]

Since when did Sam Johnstone play for Barca?

I said the same thing to my Dad haha!

 

[YoungWolf]

Wow. A lot for Barca to do, though they have created a couple of good chances themselves too

 

[Lupo]

That was a beauty

 

[YoungWolf]

Fuck what a goal

 

[Lupo]

So was that

 

[YoungWolf]

They are fucking brilliant. Easily the most enjoyable team to watch in a good while.

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

If inter are an italian side, why can't any of their defenders actually fuckin tackle.

 

[YoungWolf]

If inter are an italian side, why can't any of their defenders actually fuckin tackle.

Not sure anyone in the world can get near Yamal in that half

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

Not sure anyone in the world can get near Yamal in that half

It's not just yamal, they can't seem to successfully tackle anyone.

 

[ROVERT47]

Barca are a joy to watch going forward but their defending is prime Gary O’Neil.

 

[big mean bunny]

Been a brilliant game this. Inter look dangerous and think Barca will regret not winning this leg.

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

Could have been 6-6, but that yamal chap, is something special.
Could we swap him for Cunha?

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Could have been 6-6, but that yamal chap, is something special.

Yeah I think he's gonna make it in football