Association Football 2023/2024 Discussion Thread

[Lechasseur]

UEFA Champions League Group Stage draw is done.

Group A: Liverpool, Ajax, Napoli, Rangers
Group B: FC Porto, Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge
Group C: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Viktora Plzen
Group D:  Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting CP, Marseille
Group E: AC Milan, Chelsea, RB Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb
Group F: Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Shaktar Donetsk, Celtics
Group G:  Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, FC Copenhagen
Group H: PSG, Juventus, Benfica, Maccabi Haifa

My Champions League group stage predictions :
Group A: 1. Liverpool 2. Ajax 3. Napoli 4. Rangers
Group B: 1. Atletico Madrid 2. Porto 3. Bayer Leverkusen 4. Club Brugge
Group C: 1. Bayern Munich 2. Barcelona 3. Inter Milan 4. Viktoria Plzen
Group D: 1. Tottenham Hotspur 2. Eintracht Frankfurt 3. Olympique de Marseille 4. Sporting CP
Group E: 1. AC Milan 2. Chelsea 3. RB Salzburg 4. Dinamo Zagreb
Group F: 1. Real Madrid 2. RB Leipzig 3. Shakhtar Donetsk 4. Celtic
Group G: 1. Manchester City 2. Borussia Dortmund 3. Sevilla 4. FC Copenhagen
Group H: 1. PSG 2. Juventus 3. Benfica 4. Maccabi Haifa

[Lechasseur]

The Europa League Group Stage draw is done.

Group A: Arsenal, PSV, Bodo/Glimt, FC Zurich
Group B: Dyanmo Kyiv, Rennes, Fenerbache, AEK Lacarna
Group C: Roma, Ludogorets Razgrad, Real Betis, HJK Helsinki
Group D: Braga, Malmo, Union Berlin, Union Saint-Gilliose
Group E: Manchester United, Real Sociadad, Sherrif Tiraspol, Athletic Club Onomia Nicosia
Group F: Lazio, Feyernood, Midtylland, Strum Graz
Group G: Olympiacos, Qarabag, Freiburg, Nantes
Group H: Red Star Belgrade, Monaco, Ferencvaros, Trabzonspor

My Europa League group stage predictions :
Group A: 1. Arsenal 2. PSV Eindhoven 3. FC Zurich 4. Bodo/Glimt
Group B: 1. Rennes 2. Dynamo Kyiv 3. Fenerbahçe 4. AEK Lacarna
Group C: 1. AS Roma 2. Real Betis 3. Ludogorets 4. HJK Helsinki
Group D: 1. Braga 2. Union Berlin 3. Malmo 4. Union Saint-Gilloise
Group E: 1. Manchester United 2. Real Sociedad 3. Sheriff Tiraspol 4. Onomia Nicosia
Group F: 1. Lazio 2. Feyernood 3. Midtylland 4. Strum Graz
Group G: 1. Olympiacos 2. Nantes 3. Freiburg 4. Qarabag
Group H: 1. AS Monaco 2. Trabzonspor 3. Red Star Belgrade 4. Ferencvaros

[Lechasseur]

The UECL group stage:


Group A: İstanbul Başakşehir, Fiorentina, Heart of Midlothian, RFS
Group B: West Ham United, FCSB, Anderlecht, Silkeborg
Group C: Villarreal, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Austria Wien, Lech Poznań
Group D: Partizan, FC Köln, Nice, Slovácko
Group E: AZ Alkmaar, Apollon Limassol, Vaduz, Dnipro-1
Group F: Gent, Molde, Shamrock Rovers, Djurgårdens IF
Group G: Slavia Prague, CFR Cluj, Sivasspor, Ballkani
Group H: Basel, Slovan Bratislava, Žalgiris, Pyunik

My Europa Conference League group stage predictions :
Group A: 1. Fiorentina 2. Istanbul Basaksehir 3. Heart of Midlothian 4. RFS
Group B: 1. West Ham 2. Anderlecht 3. FCSB 4. Silkeborg
Group C: 1. Villarreal 2. Lech Poznan 3. Austria Wien 4. Hapoel Be'er Sheva
Group D: 1. Nice 2. FC Köln 3. Partizan 4. Slovacko
Group E: 1. AZ Alkmaar 2. Dnipro-1 3. Apollon Limassol 4. Vaduz
Group F: 1. Gent 2. Molde 3. Djurgardens 4. Shamrock Rovers
Group G: 1. CFR Cluj 2. Slavia Prague 3. Sivasspor 4. Balkani
Group H: 1. Basel 2. Slovan Bratislava 3. Pyunik 4. Zalgiris

[NewYorkExpress]

Chelsea embarrassed again, this time against Southampton, 2-1.

[Zinneke]

Chelsea embarrassed again, this time against Southampton, 2-1.

Jorginho is the most overrated player on the planet

[DavidB.]

My final verdict:

UEFA Champions League Group Stage draw is done.

Group A: Liverpool, Ajax, Napoli, Rangers
Group B: FC Porto, Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge
Group C: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Viktora Plzen
Group D:  Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting CP, Marseille
Group E: AC Milan, Chelsea, RB Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb
Group F: Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Shaktar Donetsk, Celtics
Group G:  Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, FC Copenhagen
Group H: PSG, Juventus, Benfica, Maccabi Haifa

A:
Liverpool
Napoli
Ajax
Rangers

Ajax potentially better than last year with exciting new players, but so many aren't used to playing together and the schedule doesn't help... Napoli have a really exciting squad this year, with Kvartskhelia added. Will get interesting between place 2-3-4.

B:
Atletico
Porto
Club
Leverkusen

Leverkusen have a really bad start. With Yaremchuk in and Lang staying, Club have a decent squad.

C:
Bayern
Inter
Barcelona
Plzen

Group of death. Hoping Barcelona don't qualify for the knockout stage. Has become a dirty club.

D:
Spurs
Marseille
Frankfurt
Sporting

Sporting and Frankfurt lack quality. Marseille dangerous and underestimated.

E:
Milan
Chelsea
Salzburg
Zagreb

Chelsea bad start.

F:
Real Madrid
Leipzig
Celtic
Shakhtar

Poor Shakhtar lost all their good players.

G:
City
Sevilla
Dortmund
Copenhagen

Both Sevilla and Dortmund lack quality. Copenhagen upset unlikely but not impossible.

H:
PSG
Juventus
Benfica
Haifa

Wouldn't rule out Benfica upset.

The Europa League Group Stage draw is done.

Group A: Arsenal, PSV, Bodo/Glimt, FC Zurich
Group B: Dyanmo Kyiv, Rennes, Fenerbache, AEK Lacarna
Group C: Roma, Ludogorets Razgrad, Real Betis, HJK Helsinki
Group D: Braga, Malmo, Union Berlin, Union Saint-Gilliose
Group E: Manchester United, Real Sociadad, Sherrif Tiraspol, Athletic Club Onomia Nicosia
Group F: Lazio, Feyernood, Midtylland, Strum Graz
Group G: Olympiacos, Qarabag, Freiburg, Nantes
Group H: Red Star Belgrade, Monaco, Ferencvaros, Trabzonspor

A:
Arsenal
PSV
Bodo
Zürich

Boring group.

B:
Rennes
Fenerbahce
Kyiv
Larnaca

Interesting group.

C:
Roma
Betis
Ludogorets Razgrad
HJK Helsinki

D:
Union Berlin
Braga
RUSG
Malmö

Interesting group. Difficult to predict RUSG.

E:
United
Sociedad
Sheriff
Omonoia Nicosia

F:
Lazio
Feyenoord
Sturm Graz
Midtjylland

Midtjylland have become incredibly poor.

G:
Freiburg
Nantes
Qarabag
Olympiakos

Interesting group.

H:
Monaco
Red Star
Trabzonspor
Ferencvaros

Group of death.

The UECL group stage:
Group A: İstanbul Başakşehir, Fiorentina, Heart of Midlothian, RFS
Group B: West Ham United, FCSB, Anderlecht, Silkeborg
Group C: Villarreal, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Austria Wien, Lech Poznań
Group D: Partizan, FC Köln, Nice, Slovácko
Group E: AZ Alkmaar, Apollon Limassol, Vaduz, Dnipro-1
Group F: Gent, Molde, Shamrock Rovers, Djurgårdens IF
Group G: Slavia Prague, CFR Cluj, Sivasspor, Ballkani
Group H: Basel, Slovan Bratislava, Žalgiris, Pyunik

A:
Fiorentina
Istanbul
Hearts
RFS

B:
West Ham
Anderlecht
Steaua
Silkeborg

C:
Villarreal
Beer Sheva
Austria Wien
Lech Poznan

D:
Köln
Nice
Partizan
Slovacko

E:
AZ
Apollon
Dnipro
Vaduz

F:
Molde
Gent
Djurgardens
Shamrock Rovers

G:
Slavia Prague
Sivasspor
Cluj
Ballkani

H:
Basel
Zalgris
Slovan
Pyunik

[JGibson]

My UCL Predictions:
Group A:
Liverpool
Napoli
Rangers
Ajax


Group B:
Atlético Madrid
Bayer Levekusen
Porto
Club Brugge

Group C:
Bayern
Barcelona
Inter Milan
Viktoria Plzeň


Group D:
Tottenham
Marseille
Sporting CP
Eintracht Frankfurt


Group E:
AC Milan
Chelsea
Dinamo Zagreb
Red Bull Salzburg


Group F:
Real Madrid
RB Leipzig
Celtic
Shakhtar Donetsk


Group G:
Manchester City
Borussia Dortmund
Sevilla
Copenhagen


Group H:
PSG
Juventus
Benfica
Maccabi Haifa


Group Stage Winner; Demoted to UEL Knockout Round playoffs against 2nd placed UEL group teams; Advancing to Round of 16


My UEL Predictions:
Group A:
Arsenal
PSV
Bodø/Glimt
FC Zürich


Group B:
Rennes
Fenerbahçe
Dynamo Kyiv
AEK Lanarca


Group C:
Real Betis
Roma
Ludogorets
HJK Helsinki

Group D:
Union Berlin
Braga
Malmö FF
Union Saint-Gilloise

Group E:
Manchester United
Real Sociedad
Omonia
Sheriff Tiraspol


Group F:
Lazio
Feyenoord
Midtjylland
Sturm Graz

Group G:
Olympiacos
Nantes
Qarabağ
SC Freiburg


Group H:
AS Monaco
Trabzonspor
Red Star Belgrade (Crvena zvezda)
Ferencváros



Group Stage Winner, advancing to the Round of 16; Demoted to UECL; Advancing to UEL Knockout Round playoffs against 3rd placed UCL group teams




My UECL Predictions:
Group A:
Fiorentina
İstanbul Başakşehir
Heart Of Midlothian
RFS


Group B:
West Ham
Anderlecht
FCSB
Silkeborg


Group C:
Villarreal
Lech Poznań
Austria Wien
Hapoel Be'er Sheva


Group D:
1. FC Köln
Nice
Partizan
Slovácko


Group E:
AZ Alkmaar
Apollon Limassol
Dnipro-1
Vaduz

Group F:
Gent
Molde
Djurgårdens IF
Shamrock Rovers

Group G:
Slavia Prague
CFR Cluj
Sivasspor
Ballkani

Group H:
FC Basel
Slovan Bratislava
Žalgiris
Pyunik


Group Stage Winner, advancing to the Round of 16; Advancing to UECL Knockout Round playoffs against 2nd placed UEL group teams

[NewYorkExpress]

The first Power Five manager to lose his job this season is apparently Bournemouth's Scott Parker.

[afleitch]

Celtic hammered Rangers 4-0 today. A good start to the season so far.

[JGibson]

Arsenal's perfect start got upended by Manchester United 3-1. Gabriel Martinelli's wrongly disallowed goal by VAR changed the course of the game.

[DavidB.]

Arsenal's perfect start got upended by Manchester United 3-1. Gabriel Martinelli's wrongly disallowed goal by VAR changed the course of the game.

Nah. Obvious foul on Eriksen.

[Alcibiades]

Arsenal's perfect start got upended by Manchester United 3-1. Gabriel Martinelli's wrongly disallowed goal by VAR changed the course of the game.

Nah. Obvious foul on Eriksen.

If the ref had given a foul at the time, I would not have complained, but I really don’t think there’s enough in it — “clear and obvious error” — for VAR to overturn it. Ødegaard doesn’t get the ball, but Eriksen goes down extremely easily.

[NewYorkExpress]

I think we've found this season's UEFA Champions League Cinderella story, as Dinamo Zagreb has defeated Chelsea 1-0 in Group E action.

[Santander]

I think we've found this season's UEFA Champions League Cinderella story, as Dinamo Zagreb has defeated Chelsea 1-0 in Group E action.

Winning one match in the group stage isn't a "Cinderella story", which would be more like APOEL making the quarter final a while back. Dinamo Zagreb have great European pedigree, and at least Orsic, Petkovic and Livakovic could easily play in the top 4 leagues. Embarrassing for Chelsea, but not nearly as embarrassing as Madrid losing at home to Sheriff last year. (after which, of course, they ended up winning the tournament)

[DavidB.]

Absolutely loved Dinamo's fighting spirit tonight. For me, the result of the night, however, is Shakhtar winning 4 to 1 against Germany's least appealing side: Red Bull FC. After the hell Shakhtar have been through, after the mass exodus of foreign players, they still managed to win a CL game. Football is beautiful.

[Santander]

Is RB Leipzig that unlikeable, though? Yes, they are a bit plastic, but they develop young players and being owned by a tacky energy drink company is surely not worse than being owned by an oil emirate or a shady billionaire?

[DavidB.]

Is RB Leipzig that unlikeable, though? Yes, they are a bit plastic, but they develop young players and being owned by a tacky energy drink company is surely not worse than being owned by an oil emirate or a shady billionaire?

At least Chelsea/City/PSG were actual football clubs before they were taken over by emirates/billionaires. Leipzig was literally founded in 2009 by Red Bull, which means the club has no soul whatsoever and is the epitome of everything wrong with modern football, even though I admit their playing philosophy itself isn't bad.

[Alcibiades]

Yeah, however objectionable Leipzig’s backstory may be, especially in a country with as strong of a fan-owned, grassroots football culture as Germany, at least they have a model of youth development, and basically don’t make any big money buys. Very, very, very different from PSG, Chelsea or Man City in that regard.

[Santander]

I mean, as easy as it is to romanticize Shakhtar's (continued) success on the European stage, they are another example of a club that were taken over by a corrupt oligarch to achieve success far beyond anything they had achieved in the past.

[JGibson]

Thomas Tuchel got sacked as Chelsea's manager.

https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1567439740525318144

[NewYorkExpress]

Thomas Tuchel not the only coach in a Big Five league getting sacked today. Domenico Tedisco is out at RB Leipzig.

[Santander]

Could a third spell for Mourinho be in the cards? He's a club legend and is the box office personality American owners love... and I'm sure he'd walk back to London if he were offered the job.

[Alcibiades]

Could a third spell for Mourinho be in the cards? He's a club legend and is the box office personality American owners love... and I'm sure he'd walk back to London if he were offered the job.

All the reports I’ve seen suggest their main target is Graham Potter, and if not him, Pochettino or Zidane (the latter of whom, having turned down PSG during the summer because he’s waiting for the France job to become available, is almost certainly not going to want to come to Chelsea).

[NewYorkExpress]

If I were Todd Boehly, and I were prioritizing the American market (which is what it looks like with the decision to keep Christian Pulisic), I'd be on the phone with Jurgen Klinsmann about the head coaching vacancy.

[Santander]

If I were Todd Boehly, and I were prioritizing the American market (which is what it looks like with the decision to keep Christian Pulisic), I'd be on the phone with Jurgen Klinsmann about the head coaching vacancy.

lol. Hiring a German coach with no managerial achievements to "prioritize the American market"? Might as well just hire Jesse Marsch.