Until other teams can demonstrate they can beat RM, which they haven't, they seem to find a way to win. KB is the best closer in the game. Hard to bet against this team. Ancelotti knows how to manage this team deftly and they have a strong bench. MC, which is the obvious favorite, hasn't demonstrated they can win the big one, including last year. If RM can control Haaland, and they can really pressure KD, MC won't win. RM defense is better than MC, which somewhat explained what happened in 2021.
"If RM can control Haaland" feels like a big ask, though. Can't help but think City would've put the semi-final out of sight last season if Haaland was there.
I agree that Haaland "could" have been the difference-maker last season against RM. But, I think you are underestimating the value of Benzema, who is as good a closer as Haaland. MC, with Haaland scoring a lot of goals this year, are only 4 wins and two draws against relatively weak competition. Not having played the big 6 yet, let's see how he delivers against them? I agree that Haaland is a real force in the middle, and will at some point, certainly break the record for goals scored in an EPL season.
No love for Ajax who have the first seed in their group? I guess we will find out this Tuesday whether they have the stuff to make a run. Even though they lost some very good players, the replacements other than at RW are better than those who left. Tactically, they are better than when ten Hag was managing the team. Remember that Schreuder was his key assistant in the 2019 run when they came within five seconds of making the final. People down play the Eredivisie but look at the dross of teams that make up Ligue Un and Serie A.
They've been absolutely gutted over the summer, though. I just find it hard to see them losing all those players and it not mattering over the course of the season.
Yes, but this happens every season and we manage to adapt. It is not an optimal way to run a football team but with limited television money, but clubs such as Ajax need to focus on reinvention.
Until other teams can demonstrate they can beat RM, which they haven't, they seem to find a way to win. KB is the best closer in the game. Hard to bet against this team. Ancelotti knows how to manage this team deftly and they have a strong bench. MC, which is the obvious favorite, hasn't demonstrated they can win the big one, including last year. If RM can control Haaland, and they can really pressure KD, MC won't win. RM defense is better than MC, which somewhat explained what happened in 2021.
"If RM can control Haaland" feels like a big ask, though. Can't help but think City would've put the semi-final out of sight last season if Haaland was there.
I agree that Haaland "could" have been the difference-maker last season against RM. But, I think you are underestimating the value of Benzema, who is as good a closer as Haaland. MC, with Haaland scoring a lot of goals this year, are only 4 wins and two draws against relatively weak competition. Not having played the big 6 yet, let's see how he delivers against them? I agree that Haaland is a real force in the middle, and will at some point, certainly break the record for goals scored in an EPL season.
No love for Ajax who have the first seed in their group? I guess we will find out this Tuesday whether they have the stuff to make a run. Even though they lost some very good players, the replacements other than at RW are better than those who left. Tactically, they are better than when ten Hag was managing the team. Remember that Schreuder was his key assistant in the 2019 run when they came within five seconds of making the final. People down play the Eredivisie but look at the dross of teams that make up Ligue Un and Serie A.
They've been absolutely gutted over the summer, though. I just find it hard to see them losing all those players and it not mattering over the course of the season.
Yes, but this happens every season and we manage to adapt. It is not an optimal way to run a football team but with limited television money, but clubs such as Ajax need to focus on reinvention.
Your fellow countryman, Rory Smith, has a great article in today's New York Times on how AJax copes with this: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/13/sports/soccer/ajax-liverpool-champions-league.html