[FOOTBALL] Midweek Fixtures (inc. Champions & Europa League) - 5-7 April

[Reg]

19:45 kick offs unless stated.

Tuesday

Barcelona v Atl Madrid - BTS2
Bayern Mun v Benfica - BTS Showcase, Europe

Birmingham v Brighton
Brentford v Bolton
Bristol City v Rotherham
Burnley v Cardiff
Derby v Hull
Ipswich v Charlton
Leeds v QPR
Middlesbrough v Huddersfield
MK Dons v Wolves
Preston v Fulham
Sheff Wed v Blackburn
Reading v Nottm Forest - 20:00

Dundee v Celtic
Partick Thistle v Dundee Utd

Wednesday

Paris St G v Man City - BTS Europe
VfL Wolfsburg v Real Madrid - BTS2

Thursday

Ath Bilbao v Sevilla - 20:05 BTS Showcase
Bor Dortmd v Liverpool - 20:05 BTS Europe
Sporting Braga v Shakt Donetsk - 20:05 BTS Extra 3
Villarreal v Sparta Prague - 20:05 BTS Extra 2

[Reg]

There are no easy games in England, not one. I'd like to see Paris play a Monday night at Stoke

Heehee.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This just weeks after facing Aston Villa. Come on, Samir.

I was about to say I won't watch any more Champions League, but then I realised I haven't actually seen a single minute of it live all season, just followed the results. RIP.

[SincereTheRebel]

I dont understand why players and pundits say things like that. They give off the impression that the likes of barcrlona wouldnt enter into the league and dominate. Even this years PSG would come into the premier league and finish top two.

[Smiffy]

.....

[SincereTheRebel]

The gap between them and the rest isnt relevant. Its the finishing position that counts. Stoke finish mid table because they are an average team. People come across like, losing to stoke is somehow some type of 'told you so' situation. As if stoke are the measuring stick for the premier league.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Waffdon]

Biggest league game in years tonight. Nervous wreck and have a disgusting hangover.

[SincereTheRebel]

So assuming we just throw PSG into England we're to assume that they'll automatically finish within the top two despite facing stronger competition in stronger division with two domestic cups, European commitments, no winter break and crucially, no home grown English players.

100%.

[Angelsaint]

If bayern doesn't score 2 goals in the first 25 I am jumping on benfica train to win the game and even more. This is the anomaly year.

[Angelsaint]

I dont understand why players and pundits say things like that. They give off the impression that the likes of barcrlona wouldnt enter into the league and dominate. Even this years PSG would come into the premier league and finish top two.

If you were right citi would have a zillion points gap to the second every year and they don't.

[SincereTheRebel]

We are talking about this years PSG and this years premier league. No way, PSG finish behind arsenal or man city this season based on what we have seen this season from everyone involved.

[Angelsaint]

" No way, Chelsea /ManU finish behind arsenal or man city this season based on what we have seen this season from everyone involved."

[Kikó]

What?

[Baz]

What's even your argument there?

Chelsea (under Mourinho) and United have been absolute garb this season.

[Angelsaint]

Chelsea because the gap is minimal as showed in the clash between both. And Manchester United because of the investment.

[Giggles]

Only hope tonight is a Benfica upset. No interest in the Liga game.

[Giggles]

And back to the Simpsons.

[Magic]

Two pretty boring games tonight. Not even bothering with the leeds game.

[Boydy]

The Champions League seems proper fucking dull compared to the Premiership this season.

[John Arne]

Any reason Barcelona are wearing their away gear?

[The Merse]

This just weeks after facing Aston Villa. Come on, Samir.

I was about to say I won't watch any more Champions League, but then I realised I haven't actually seen a single minute of it live all season, just followed the results. RIP.

Almost the same as me this year. Just the first leg v Barca for me.

So eternally bored of the Champions League. A deeper Arsenal run would spark an interest, but otherwise, just.... Ugh...

[Giggles]

It really is zzzzzzzzz these days. I'm not sure why, as I'd say the football is as good if not better. Probably just familiarity, as it's the latter stages I've become most bored with.

[The Merse]

I dont understand why players and pundits say things like that. They give off the impression that the likes of barcrlona wouldnt enter into the league and dominate. Even this years PSG would come into the premier league and finish top two.

Because the point is that the lower end of the table is far higher in quality, aided of course by the greater equality in TV rights and awards money and that those sources of funding are so massively inflated in England. Bournemouth were able to spunk a net spend of about £35m this year where a newly promoted team of similar stature in Spain or France would often be expected to make a longer term profit in the transfer market and limit their net spend per season to a couple of million.

The middle order is similarly constrained in most leagues, actually.

[The Merse]

It really is zzzzzzzzz these days. I'm not sure why, as I'd say the football is as good if not better. Probably just familiarity, as it's the latter stages I've become most bored with.

Same teams every year and a degree of inevitability to everything. Plus, it's pompously presented.

[Max Power]

Well I'm enjoying this Atletico Madrid performance immensely

[John Arne]

Suarez got away from a lash out then.

Oh, and Torres has been sent off.

[Serj]

Torres. :D What an idiotic challenge.

[John Arne]

Stupid by Torres, that. Two shit tackles.

[John Arne]

These directors are shit. Show us a replay of Suarez.

[Serj]

Indeed, that's two Suárez incidents already where they didn't show the replay.

[Reg]

I think there's a decent chance Simeone told his players to have a kick at them, and Torres has just taken his with a complete lack of subtlety.

Hope Barca go through, don't really fancy seeing more of Atletico. It was good when they were plucky underdogs, but the novelty has faded.

[CJay]

Atletico are so good at defending, but Barca are also really playing into their hands here. They need to get the ball forward so much quicker.

I foresee some real Barca rage tonight. Saw a bit of it already in the first half.

[Boydy]

Is that Steve McManaman on the BT commentary team tonight?

He's almost as annoying as Michael Owen.

[Yevrah]

Atletico Madrid are such a bastard of a team to play against.

[Browning]

That's why we're going down!

[Bernanke]

woosh

[John Arne]

Class.

[Magic]

We're winning and I simply couldn't give a fuck.

[Serj]

Some absolutely imbecilic tackles now in the Barcelona match. The one by Lucas (I think) was properly cynical and should probably have been a red.

[John Arne]

Never really appreciated just how much of a whining little cunt Jordi Alba is. Enjoy the football, for fucks sake.

[John Arne]

Why are the UEFA 'No To Racism' adverts in the Barcelona game in English? Maybe that's what the problem is... the racists just can't read the signs.

[Baz]

What're the scores?

Oh and the knockout stages of the Champions League are ace. Aside from the premier league, they're my favourite football to watch. Least favourite is the England national team. :sick: I'd rather go to a Hinckley game with Lee than watch England.

[Kikó]

Great result for Benfica. Could have nicked one themselves. Keeps it alive although no Jonas in the return will be a big miss.

[Magic]

Oh look we drew thanks to defensive idiocy.

Also can't stand Alves after banana gate. Horrible cunt.

[niko_cee]

Massive win for Brighton. Hope it doesn't come down to the last game.

[John]

Dumbarton tonight put on the most defensive performance I've ever seen from any side at Ibrox, and I attended every game in our UEFA cup run. Nine men behind the ball for the entire game, with a fat Christian Nade running into people up front.

Still, the journey is over. :drool:

[Waffdon]

What a four years its been. Won't even have to bother with you lads next year either :drool:

[Giggles]

Not bad going for a four year old club.

[Lewis]

'It is young but it is beautiful, and its players they are fine...'

[John]

There have been plenty of players on Facebook tonight wishing us well, almost all of them with some connection to the club, but Lukas Podolski doing so is a bit odd. Hasn't even played for Hamburg.

[Angelsaint]

Great result for Benfica. Could have nicked one themselves. Keeps it alive although no Jonas in the return will be a big miss.

Watched to see what this wonderkid everyone is talking about and was a bit disappointed, no doubt this Renato Sanches has loads of potential but he was skinned alive by vidal. Saying this and for sometime I had my eye on this benfica manager and he has the potential to make Mourinho name disappear.
Best manager ever in the making?

About the game, tactically Guardiola being outclassed again. Citi being shit next year and Guardiola being shown as a totally media invention. I call it already.

[Giggles]

I'll chance a bit of this Real and Wolfsburg game for a while.

[Magic]

Aurier playing. :drool:

[John]

Luiz. :D

The bloke is a fucking raspberry.

[Giggles]

Fucking hell it was near killed off as early as last night.

[John Arne]

I fancy City tonight. 3-0.

[John]

Clichy, the cautious full back. Fuck off Owen.

[Waffdon]

http://antenasport.com/fox1usahd.html

Superb stream if anyone needs one.

[John]

I'd love to see the referee just headbutt someone getting in his face like Di Maria just did.

[Magic]

Luiz. :D

[Sam]

What a silly challenge, stone wall pen.

[Magic]

Ahahaha.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a shit penalty that was.

[Sam]

Hart. :happycry:

[Bernanke]

What a shit penalty that was.

Eh, it was low and hard fairly far out towards the corner. Hart just chose the right direction to dive early.

[Foe]

That penalty is a pretty similar copy to the "stone wall" vardy pen against Arsenal.

Funny how the commentators have a different view of it this time round.

[Ian]

Get fucked, Ibrahimovic. :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Zlatan is shitting the bed.

[Bernanke]

Real. :lol:

[John]

Ibrahimovic wants six hundred grand a week. :D

[Magic]

Holy shit?

[Magic]

I'd rather listen to Savage than Owen.

[John]

Owen is reaching new heights of banality there in explaining the purpose of a wall.

[Magic]

Zidane's shoes are absolutely gorgeous. He dresses very well indeed.

[Waffdon]

Such a player.

[Sam]

De Bruyne is just class, City look a different animal tonight.

[John]

Luiz was looking suspiciously thin on top there. Going bald might explain why he's such a jittery tit.

:D What the fuck was that?

[Magic]

Good stuff BTS. Owen narrating a replay...oh, a goal.

[Waffdon]

Shit from Fernando but what the fuck is Hart doing?

[Magic]

Good stuff BTS. Owen narrating a replay...oh, a goal.

They've just apologised. :D

[Ian]

Hahahahahaha.

[John Arne]

Nice work, director.

Also, these commentators mustn't be actually in the stadium, as they hadn't a clue what had happened until they too had seen the replay.

[Josh]

I've only heard good things about Matuidi but this is the first time I've watched him. Is he normally a lot better or is he just a proper bottler?

[Magic]

McTweedy.

[Magic]

Owen is such a fucking clown. Like chess. Because someone acted like they'd been shot. He's a fucking tit. If someone did that against his beloved scum he'd be in tears. Prick.

[Raoul Duke]

Also, lol @ him saying the game has changed (in terms of people diving). He dived all over the shop "winning" penalties.

[Magic]

:cool:

[John]

There have been a few huge blunders in this game but I think they're overstating that from Aurier. Blanc would have shot him if he'd just let that ball roll past.

[John]

Which of the two sides did Owen just describe as having a 'punchers chance'?

I wish these commentators would learn the meaning of these glib little phrases before using them, rather than Sainting it up all over the place.

There was mention of Aurier not quite being 'made an example of' earlier, as though calling the manager a faggot on the internet is a common enough behaviour within the club to warrant a cautionary tale.

[SincereTheRebel]

David silva body shape for the first goal was all kinds of fucked up.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Which of the two sides did Owen just describe as having a 'punchers chance'?

I wish these commentators would learn the meaning of these glib little phrases before using them, rather than Sainting it up all over the place.

There was mention of Aurier not quite being 'made an example of' earlier, as though calling the manager a faggot on the internet is a common enough behaviour within the club to warrant a cautionary tale.

Man City because when 'they're good they're good' or something like that.

[Pen]

http://antenasport.com/fox1usahd.html

Superb stream if anyone needs one.

Thanks for that Wafflez. It was indeed superb.

[GS]

Luiz really is a fucking bomb scare.

[ItalAussie]

I hope Wolfsburg get through, if only to have something go off-script.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They might need to deploy Refbot 3000 for the second leg.

[niko_cee]

The Wolfsburg result would be more interesting if you didn't expect them to get an absolute fisting in the return leg.

Benfica, Wolfsburg, Atletico and City into the semis?

[Davgooner]

City are getting done in the second leg.

[Giggles]

As suspected, nothing televised bar the Klopp wankathon. Any chance an irate Dortmund fan smashes his teeth in or will I just stick on Netflix?

[John]

Bilbao vs Sevilla is on TV.

[Giggles]

Bilbao vs Sevilla is on TV.

Not here I'd say. We don't get normal ITV any more and if there's football on ITV4 it's always blocked.

[Giggles]

Actually I just noticed that the Dortmund game isn't even on the free Setanta channel it's on the pay one.

The free one has 4 hours of Masters coverage. Fuck you Sky :drool:

[Reg]

This on the Dortmund coach is good: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/07/thomas-tuchel-borussia-dortmund-jurgen-klopp?CMP=fb_a-football_b-gdnfootball

Liverpool (4-2-3-1) Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Henderson, Can; Milner, Lallana, Coutinho; Origi.
Substitutes: Ward, Toure, Smith, Allen, Ibe, Firmino, Sturridge.

[John Arne]

Stan Collymore on Talksport has just advised the listeners to not listen to the Liverpool game on Talksport, and instead watch it on TV. Expect a call from upstairs soon, Stan.

[Gray Fox]

I'm happy Sturridge has been benched. He's been a little off lately and is a great option off the bench.

This game depends on which Sakho and Lovren turn up. If they play well we'll actually have a chance to play, maybe even sneak a win. If not then this could all get quite ugly, quite fast.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Jimmy Floyd]

Stan Collymore on Talksport has just advised the listeners to not listen to the Liverpool game on Talksport, and instead watch it on TV. Expect a call from upstairs soon, Stan.

I know he's mental, but why would he say that? Was it in the midst of throes of passion about how wonderful the teams are to watch?

[Shindig]

I think its a final realisation he's such a cunt to listen to and, in a world where he can't be silenced, this is his next best option.

[John Arne]

He wanted to people to watch just how good Mkhitaryan's movement is.... he's this unheard of Armenian that Stan has tipped for big things.

[Josh]

Tipped for big things? He's 27 and already pretty decent.

[Giggles]

Tipped for big things? He's 27 and already pretty decent.

I think that's what JA meant.

[John Arne]

Tipped for big things? He's 27 and already pretty decent.

Aye, tell that to Stanley.

[Boydy]

Fuck off, Mignolet. Jesus.

Also fuck off Michael Owen. Why can't they get managers or journalists or anyone with something interesting to say on as co-commentators?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Pundits in all sports are chosen for their fame rather than their delivery these days. I mean doesn't Paul Scholes have a gig on BT? The least eloquent man alive today.

[Boydy]

Yeah.

Imagine Barney Ronay as co-commentator though. :drool:

[Baz]

Pundits in all sports are chosen for their fame rather than their delivery these days. I mean doesn't Paul Scholes have a gig on BT? The least eloquent man alive today.
Rio's dead? :cry:

[Giggles]

I used to think it's because they know the majority of football watchers are Sun reading drongos, but even the clickbait sites are slating Owen regularly these days.

[Gray Fox]

If Klopp can build us a team half as good as he did this Dortmund one, I'll be a happy bunny.

[Boydy]

Good Sakho seems to have turned up.

So far, anyway.

[Browning]

Football really needs to do away with the rule that says you can't give a retrospective ban if the referee has seen something. Even as a Dons fan I'm sorry but how is the challenge in these pictures a yellow card? I wouldn't complain if he was banned for the rest of the year.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3528334/Antony-Kay-say-sorry-horror-tackle-Wolves-winger-Michal-Zyro-says-Kenny-Jackett.html

[Boydy]

Fucking get in.

[John]

Mkhitaryan having a good game is disappointing. Collymore will be on his soapbox.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Scouse hopes up only to be dashed by Sevillabot later on.

[John Arne]

Sakho has a good 5 or 6 more clangers left in him tonight.

[Weaver]

Pundits in all sports are chosen for their fame rather than their delivery these days. I mean doesn't Paul Scholes have a gig on BT? The least eloquent man alive today.

He sounds like a monster, doesn't he? No wonder Fergie used to put Giggs and Neville on media duty...

[SincereTheRebel]

Aubameyang is one of the fastest players I've ever seen on a football field. Rapid.

[Gray Fox]

So far Lovren and Sakho have been outstanding. Origi is looking good too. Glad we have this away goal.

[John Arne]

Interesting decision not to mark there best header of the ball.

[Max Power]

Origi looking like a quality all round centre forward here. I'm surprised.

[Reg]

One of the best saves I've seen this season, that low one to the right of Weidenfeller.

Fun game to watch.

[Gray Fox]

Sakho or Origi for MoTM for me. Probably leaning to Sakho just.

Fantastic performance that.

[Davgooner]

The fucking BBC live text.


Jurgen Klopp has master-minded a draw on his old stomping ground.

Alright mate.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sevilla :drool:

What a team. Haven't won away in La Liga all season. Europa League away to the most intimidating atmosphere in Spain? No problemo.

[ItalAussie]

Pundits in all sports are chosen for their fame rather than their delivery these days. I mean doesn't Paul Scholes have a gig on BT? The least eloquent man alive today.

I think the idea is that they'll have some insight based on their playing days?

It's a stupid idea, either way.

[igor_balis]

I used to think it's because they know the majority of football watchers are Sun reading drongos, but even the clickbait sites are slating Owen regularly these days.

It is the same reason why everything is shit these days. It isn't that people are thick cunts who like shite, it is because the people in CHARGE of stuff ASSUME people like shite. They're trying to appeal to non-existent demographics of retards. You can surely imagine a high-level BT Sport meeting with a bunch of Jeremys and Hugos saying 'Ya Ya I suppose Raphael Honngstein is a rather excellent pundit, but you know the knuckle-draggers wouldn't get it. They only care about celebrities and Keeping up with the Kardashians and stuff. Put on Michael Owen, he's just about the one person you know won't intimidate the scumbags watching our broadcast without being unsettled by his superior intellect.'

I wasn't a big fan of Inception, but Mark Kermode's review was excellent in so far as it mostly consisted of him shouting 'LOOK, IF YOU MAKE SOMETHING SMART PEOPLE WILL STILL WATCH IT, STOP MAKING STUPID SHIT FILMS BECAUSE YOU ASSUME THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE STUPID. THEY'RE NOT. ARGGGGH'. Quite right.

[Giggles]

It is the same reason why everything is shit these days. It isn't that people are thick cunts who like shite, it is because the people in CHARGE of stuff ASSUME people like shite. They're trying to appeal to non-existent demographics of retards. You can surely imagine a high-level BT Sport meeting with a bunch of Jeremys and Hugos saying 'Ya Ya I suppose Raphael Honngstein is a rather excellent pundit, but you know the knuckle-draggers wouldn't get it. They only care about celebrities and Keeping up with the Kardashians and stuff. Put on Michael Owen, he's just about the one person you know won't intimidate the scumbags watching our broadcast without being unsettled by his superior intellect.'

I wasn't a big fan of Inception, but Mark Kermode's review was excellent in so far as it mostly consisted of him shouting 'LOOK, IF YOU MAKE SOMETHING SMART PEOPLE WILL STILL WATCH IT, STOP MAKING STUPID SHIT FILMS BECAUSE YOU ASSUME THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE STUPID. THEY'RE NOT. ARGGGGH'. Quite right.

The general public are thick cunts though and the half-intelligent thinking around football on forums like this is by far the exception than the rule. It's just that even the thick cunts are realising how bad Owen is at this stage.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think the idea is that they'll have some insight based on their playing days?

It's a stupid idea, either way.

Having ex players is good, it's just you need ones who can deliver a coherent sentence or at least display some sort of passion for what they're talking about. Gary Neville is the best we've had in the UK, and Andy Gray was also good.

[Jimmy Floyd]

On another point there's a saying in market research: 'You're not asking the man in the street. You're asking his stupid friend.'

[Giggles]

That Belgium goal in the women's match was a bit lol.

[Browning]

Could the commentator give less of a shit about the assistant referee being injured?