With the exception of Bayern and Barca. I'd say that Atletico are the best team in the CL. Arsenal certainly wouldn't be favourites. They would probably have been League and European Cup winners two seasons ago had it not been for Costa and Turan getting injured prior to the final.
Exactly, imo they have a better chance against real (a very very small one) than atletico this year. Theyd do best to avoid them.
It really depends on the form of real/atletico come the round of 16 tbh, Real are still a better side than Atletico imo and will most likely finish ahead of them in the league.
It really depends on the form of real/atletico come the round of 16 tbh, Real are still a better side than Atletico imo and will most likely finish ahead of them in the league.
Atletico seem to set up better for big games, though. Real are better at beating the lower-table teams so they'll finish higher in the league but that doesn't really matter in the CL.
Giroud is the best striker in the league. No joke.
was thinking about the lack of traditional complete no.9s in the world, and couldn't help but conclude Andy Carroll is in the top 10 of complete no.9s in the whole world.
Atletico seem to set up better for big games, though. Real are better at beating the lower-table teams so they'll finish higher in the league but that doesn't really matter in the CL.
I don't know about that, Real have performed pretty consistently in the CL, they've made at least semis every year for the past 5 or so years iirc. Though they were unlucky not to win it in 2013-14, you can't say Atletico have outperformed Real in the CL. That being said, Arsenal would probably struggle more against a side like Atletico match-up wise.
Yeah since Mou went to Real they been consistent semi final teams. However Atlético have been similarly good in the CL.
They got to the final in 13/14 and got to the quarters in 14/15(knocked out by one goal to Real Madrid).
They also beat Barcelona in the CL too. They are one of those teams that can end up anywhere from quarters onwards depending on the day. They could knock out Bayern personally if they faced each other.
Well, what a night to score your first hat-trick for the club. Hats off to Giroud.
The real work comes in the next round, though. Out of your potential opponents (Real, Atletico, Barcelona, Zenit and Wolfsburg), you best hope for the latter.
I don't know about that, Real have performed pretty consistently in the CL, they've made at least semis every year for the past 5 or so years iirc. Though they were unlucky not to win it in 2013-14, you can't say Atletico have outperformed Real in the CL. That being said, Arsenal would probably struggle more against a side like Atletico match-up wise.
I was talking about the teams currently, as opposed to previous track record.
I'd see Benitez's Real as a more unpredictable opponent than Atletico, who will always thrive in that sort of big game, rugged defending situation. The uncertainty about which Real Madrid will turn up works in Arsenal's favour since we are, IMO, underdogs against both sides.