CL semi final PSG v Bayern

[Steveo]

By this logic the Billionare bankrolled Ukrainian sides should be walking the CL

come on fellas - appreciate quality

[Daffydd]

When semis are this good I always expect the final to be like watching paint dry

[RedMagic]

Are these clubs at such a high level partly because they don't have extremely high competitive games almost every week, and sometimes three games in a week?

Yes. Does anyone really think they'd be able to play at this tempo and intensity if like us in recent years they had been going deep in four different, competitive competitions, three of which are more physically demanding than similar competitions in any other league? I certainly don't think they would.

[Steveo]

And it would also make a mockery of the teams from the toughest leagues who are consistently the most consistent and numerous winners of the top European prizes

[Steveo]

When semis are this good I always expect the final to be like watching paint dry

Be a Premier league side in it or Atletico - so it probably will

[Steveo]

The British Jingoism always makes me laugh.

When the CL is flooded with Premier league teams - it’s because we have the strongest league.

When they are mostly absent - it’s because we have the toughest league.

[jozza800]

How can anyone say Slot wanted to emulate PSG style of play! Absolutely lightyears away from them at the moment.

[jozza800]

The British Jingoism always makes me laugh.

When the CL is flooded with Premier league teams - it’s because we have the strongest league.

When they are mostly absent - it’s because we have the toughest league.

I think both statements are true.

[Steveo]

I think both statements are true.

Yep - as expected

[jozza800]

Our league is definitely the toughest to win.

And we more strong clubs compared to the other leagues.

So yeah, both statements are true.

[Steveo]

The crossbar almost snapped in two - should have squared it though

[Steveo]

Our league is definitely the toughest to win.

And we more strong clubs compared to the other leagues.

So yeah, both statements are true.

Oh Jozza - one day you will get there

[jozza800]

I just say it how I see it.

[Steveo]

Hakimi looks done - so he will be out for the tournament

[Crimson Dynasty]

Are these clubs at such a high level partly because they don't have extremely high competitive games almost every week, and sometimes three games in a week?

I don't think it's immaterial and I agree there may be something to it.

It would explain why Premier League teams get knocked out when we get to the business end of this competition (it remains to be seen how Arsenal do in their semifinal, ......but let's be honest,.....they've had a really forgiving draw. Athleti will be the first tough oppoenent they're facing, just one step from the final).

Both these two teams pretty much have already wrapped up their domestic league titles - with Bayern potentially looking at possibly winning a treble and PSG a potential double if either win this competition.
And you have the added fact that their league FA's (certainly in PSG's case) have no compulsions or problems aiding their quest to win the Champions League by re-arranging domestic league matches to their favour.

In contrast, in the premier league, it's practically pulling teeth getting the League not to schedule early weekend matches for clubs that already had a mid-week CL game, or in some cases having teams play 3 or 4 games in the space of a week or a bit more to deal with a schedule crunch.

The counterpoint of course is that Real Madrid were dominating this competition during those Ancelotti years when they were facing real competition at home in the form of Barca, and while Ligue 1 has been a one-team league for as long as I can remember, it's only been until last year that their dominating team finally won the CL.