Champions League; End of an Era?

The CL knockout stages started up yesterday, and while a Bayern v Madrid final won't shock anyone, 2 potential storylines seem to be at the forefront;

Is Barcelona finally in need of a major facelift? The New St. Valentine's Day Massacre occurred at PSG. It finished 4-0, but they were lucky it wasn't 6 or 7. Iniesta and Messi were utterly dominated by DiMaria & Draxler.

Is this finally the end of the road for Arsene Wenger? The spoiled supporters have been whining for years to have him ride off into the sunset, but there seems to be a feeling that barring a huge finish they might finally get their wish.

 

I'd say yes to both. Barca looked old. And Wenger is old...for big time football manager.
Not too old to do the job, but they've been treading water, albeit near the top, for a long time now.

 

Barca had a bad day - and maybe that transfer ban is finally taking a little bite out of them, but come on, you can put out Messi, Neymar y El Mordedor on a front line is still top class. Defense needs some new blood I think. Now, they'll go and put 5 past PSG at the Camp Nou.

 

Indeed. I'd take it. But getting knocked out in the quarters for however many years in a row is not cool for such a big club.

 

OK, I'm a relative newbie to this game, but I'm reasonably certain that Javier Mascherano is standing WELL offside when this pass is struck. Right? Or am I not understanding the rule? Again?

 

I believe it is because the ball wasn't played to him nor is he involved in the play, so it doesn't matter.

 

Correct - if he isn't involved in the play then he could be punching the corner flag and nobody would care.
Barca put the sword to PSG - I watched the end of the match last night and it was insane after Neymar put in the free kick - it was on and the Catalonians were not to be denied. Say what you will about Barca but, even as a club of international superstars, they have heart and showed it yesterday.

 

So long Leicester. Is this the end of the fairy tale? It would seem so. Interesting that they put up a better scrap in the CL than they did defending their league title. Now that the last vestige of the impossible season is over, I think we'll see a semi-massive defection. Vardy, Mahrez, Albrighton, Drinkwater, and Schmeichel all might vamoose. And the guys who had the seasons of their careers will be left behind to slither off into insignificance with tales for their grandkids: Huth, Morgan and the like. At the very least, change will be coming to King Power. The Ronaldo's advance at the expense of Munich. I don't like either team very much. Too much diving. But Diego Simeone is still around. Barca's in another hole, but not nearly as big as the one they climbed out of against PSG. Juventus is another story, but you don't count the Catalans out until the triple whistle. I'm willing to bet they'll go through at the Nou Camp. They may not quite be at the end of an era.

 

Then there were 4. Juve just put the clamps on Barca at the Nou Camp (0-0 today, 3-0 on agg). Athletico plays with the same style as the Italians (in other words super effective but Zzzz...). Real is the obvious favorite, which leaves the coolest team left to watch. Monaco going forward is must see TV. They got SPEED to burn and skill to go along with it. Have seen them play 4 times (the 2 Citeh matches and now out Dortmunding Dortmund), and hope they can reach the Final. Better get used to this name; Kylian Mbappe, 18 and on track to be France's next superstar. Striker Falcao was a failure at ManU, but he's having the last laugh at Monaco. Add in pacey guys like Mendy and Lemar and this team will go down swinging.

 

I guess Tuchel should've started Pulisic. Probably wouldn't have mattered though. Would love to see Monaco raise that trophy. They're exciting to watch.

 

Atletico or Monaco - can't get behind another Real or Juventus winner. Diego Simeone looks like an extra from The Usual Suspects. I back that for no other reason than I'm irrational.

 

After the snoozefest of last year's final, no 'surprise' it's an all-Madrid semi, w/Juve and Monaco facing off in the other.

@nevzter, you might be on to something. Forget just an 'extra' could Simeone be..Keyser Soze?

 

Hat trick from the horrid bronze statue (google Ronaldo statue if you don't know what I'm talking about) Real Madrid cruises 3-0.

Juve clamps down on Monaco 0-2. Mbappe showed glimpses and forced Buffoon to action, but even if Monaco had the injured Mendy, Juve has too much experience and know how.

 

No reason to believe it won't be Real and Juve in Cardiff. If Real play like they did against Atletico, it won't matter.

 

Real v. Juve = Dodgers v. Yankees, Red Sox v. Cardinals in the lexicon of MLB; big histories and pedigree to be on display - hopefully the final will entertain accordingly.