Champs League Group, All Chat In Here.

I don't agree, if we fail to do the business against Spartak Moscow, then I'll hold my hands up and say fair play to Benfica; if we win and Benfica beat Barca, however, I will blame Villanova for resting most of his top players.

 

I get what your saying about the home form, but at home in European games, generally we've been excellent. There will be an incredible atmosphere which will help (shouldn't take that though). Put it this way, despite being better on the road under Lenny, you'd rather this must win game is at home.

Tbh it's got * all to do with Villanova if we go through/out. Why should he risk his top players to help anyone? If the boot was on the other foot and we were in benfica's situation you'd be wanting Villanova to rest players. Should be grateful that they are risking messi, lets face it he's capable of winning the game almost single handedly

 

Of course, but the fact remains that in a very real sense Benfica would not have played the same set of games as we would have. No way they would beat Barca's first team in the Nou Camp.

 

Benfica will beat Barca. I honestly think that.

Barcelona do play to win every game, but they will in no way be able to match the same intensity and hunger Benfica will have to remain in the CL.

Also Barcelona do leak goals, Spartak even got a couple at the Nou Camp.

 

I hope your wrong....

Unfortunately, I too have a bad feeling about tomorrow night.

 

I would say you guys have 70% chances, 30% to us.

Our midfield was a bit weak already, without Javi Garcia and Witsel, but now Aimar, Enzo Perez and Salvio are unavailable, due to injuries, all of them class.

We still have plenty of good players upfront (Ola John, Nico Gaitan, Bruno Cesar, Cardozo, Rodrigo, Lima...) but in the center midfield we only have Matic + B team players.

I'm convinced that a draw would be enough for Celtic... but I still believe, of course.

 

Leo, however, plays

 

If you win in Camp Nou you'll deserve to go through, even if they rest a few of their stars. Will obviously be devastating for us going out if we get the win though, being eliminated with 10 points is rare. It'll be a * tense night whatever happens, that's what the Champions League is all about.

 

Valdes
Alves Pique Puyol Adriano
Busquets
Song Thiago
Tello Messi Villa

Good enough for me :icon_mrgreen:
​

 

This.

I think the way Benfica have bounced back from a poor start is admirable. 1 point from their first 3 games and they could have thrown the towel in. But they've won two in a row and have a chance to make that three. If they do win at the Nou Camp then fair play.

If we go out on head to head then that late goal in the Nou Camp will haunt us.

 

Barca should still beat the, even without them.

 

Initially I thought it was Benfica that would ruin the dream by doing the business in Barca but now I can't help shake the feeling that it is us ourselves that will make a * of it.

Would be horrible if it turns out that way.

Hopefully both the fans, players and management rise to the occasion to ensure that doesn't happen.

 

Think Villanova will go:
Pinto

Montoya Pique Puyol Adriano/Planas

Song Thiago Rafinha / J.Dos Santos

Deulofeu/Villa Messi Tello


I think that minus Messi in that line up it's slightly weaker than Benfica at full strength, but not much, probably would have wins for either side if they played 10 times, 5 each or 6-4.

But that's not including wee Messi!

 

Worst case scenario is we lose and Benfica lose. If we win and Benfica win, at least we done everything we could.

 

If we both win does it not go down to goal difference first then the head to head?

EDIT: Same with both losing. Is it not so long as we get a better result than Benfica then we will qualify

 

I thought that if we both win, Benfica we could through no matter what.

 

Nah, head to head sorts it out. It won't come to that though. We'll get the win, so will Barcelona.

 

If we both win, lose, or draw, Benfica goes through. Head to head is the tiebreaker, and Benfica have it over us. We only go through if we get more points than Benfica tomorrow, so 1 point is good enough if they lose, but we need a win if they draw.

 

Looked up CL site last week on rules,just to make sure,and it goes head to head first,then goal difference.

 

Yeah, that is what I thought. Cheers.