Michael

I almost completely agree with you, but they could be unlucky if they slipped on a wet patch of grass while taking a penalty or something. But yeah, in most other circumstances, it's not really luck that comes into it.

I completely agree with your sentiments.

Well a German can afford to say something like that.)

Well all the English teams may have been knocked out of the Champions League by the quarter final stage this season, but we still have English players who could win the Champions League this year. Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Jaden Sancho, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Jude Bellingham all still have a chance of raising the Champions League trophy this year.

I would like to see Borussia Dortmund against Bayern Munich in the final, a repeat of the 2013 Champions League final would be great! There are teams in the Bundesliga who have played some top tier level football this season. Teams like Bayern Munich, Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Stuttgart who have produced some real high level performances this season, while Bayer Leverkusen have been flawless and out of this world. It makes me laugh when teams like Bayern have some performances that don't meet their usual high standards and are written off by some people. A few months ago a pundit called them an average team and it caught on, with lots of people copying him and calling them average. Equally, Arsenal were called one of the greatest sides ever by some pundits two month or three months ago. Especially in late January and throughout February this year, when Arsenal were thrashing sides like Crystal Palace, West Ham, Burnley, Newcastle and Sheffield United one match after the other and when they also beat Liverpool 3-1 during that period. But we clearly saw in the Champions League how Bayern proved that they were the better side against Arsenal, as Bayern deservedly knocked them out. It's always been obvious that Bayern are stacked with top class quality players, even if perhaps a few positions in the team aren't as strong as they used to be or if the team didn't click or have the team cohesion that it should have had at times this season. That should never detract from the fact that this Bayern team are a top class team and definitely not an average team. Bayer Leverkusen's flawlessness and absolute brilliance this season in the Bundesliga, shouldn't take away from how strong Bayern Munich are. It will be very hard to achieve because the opposition are so strong, but I'd definitely like to see both Bayern Munich and Dortmund in the final this season.

Real Madrid defeated Man City on penalties at the Etihad. In this battle of two giants, Man City had more chances but Real Madrid were more clinical. Rodrygo gave Real Madrid an early lead but Man City star player Kevin De Bruyne equalised with a clinical finish in the 76th minute. De Bruyne was excellent all night, as he created plenty of chances and he was a constant threat to score as well. Indeed he showed great composure for his equalising goal. Rodri also had a very good game from midfield for Man City and so did Jeremy Doku when he came on as a sub. Doku's pace gave the Real Madrid defenders a lot of headaches as they struggled to keep up with him, he also had a hand in Man City's goal. For Real Madrid, Andriy Lunin had an excellent match, as he dealt with crosses in a commanding fashion. He also made 2 excellent saves from Grealish shots and he also did superbly to save a De Bruyne pile-driver of a shot. Lunin also went on to save 2 penalties in the penalty shoot-out that Real Madrid would win. Rudiger also had a great game in defence, where he made several crucial blocks and he also ended up scoring the winning penalty in the penalty shoot-out. Bellingham also of course had another high standard performance, his energy and ball control was phenomenal at times. With the match ending in a 1-1 draw and Real Madrid then winning 4-3 on penalties, it is Real Madrid who advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Final score: Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (Real Madrid win 4-3 on penalties)

Went to the pub to watch the Bayern v Arsenal match and I think that Bayern thoroughly deserved the win. Kimmich was excellent throughout the match and he took his headed goal brilliantly. Goretzka and Leroy Sane also had impressive performances. In the end Bayern Munich won 1-0 at home and they advance to the semi-finals where they will play Real Madrid, while Arsenal are knocked out. So happy to see two Bundesliga clubs in the Champions League semi-finals. It just goes to confirm the strength of the Bundesliga where the Champions League semi-finalists Bayern Munich and Dortmund were no match for Bayer Leverkusen this season. Final score: Bayern Munich 1-0 Arsenal

R.I.P. Bernd Hölzenbein

PSG kind of dominated their match against Barcelona in the end. The sending off for Barca was obviously a blow, but PSG showed their quality in their performance by creating many scoring chances and by winning 4-1. Final score: Barcelona 1-4 PSG

Dortmund were excellent tonight, they fully deserved to beat Atletico Madrid and advance to the semi-finals. Final score: Dortmund 4-2 Atletico Madrid

Dortmund have been excellent in this 1st half. Brandt and Maatsen scored the goals for them. This is the dream 1st half that they would have wanted to have. Hopefully they can keep this performance up in the 2nd half.

I want Dortmund to win as well, but I think that Atletico Madrid play just the type and style of football that Dortmund can struggle to play against. If Dortmund win tonight, it will most likely be just by a one goal margin. Certainly hoping for Dortmund to win this extremely tough match for them.

That's fair enough that you follow the policy of "you have to take what you dish out" or as we say here, give as good as you get. But personally prefer to take the higher ground and argue on as much a factual basis as possible. You are entitled to your opinion as regards to West Ham's, Dortmund's and Stuttgart's strengths, but I just think that West Ham have proven their European pedigree in recent seasons and last year's Europa Conference League winners will present a stern test for most sides on their day when they play at home. Having said that, I've also just read that they will also be missing Paqueta as well as Bowen and Alvarez for the return match against Leverkusen. Leverkusen are the obvious favourites to advance, but I do respect West Ham and their performances in recent seasons. I think it would be great if Bayer Leverkusen won the treble, it would go down as one of the best ever seasons for a Bundesliga club.

West Ham are much stronger at home than they are away. I think we remember what happened in the last round, where West Ham lost 1-0 away to Freiburg and then thumped them 4-0 at home. Leverkusen were very dominant in the 1st leg against West Ham, but I think that West Ham's plan was to defend and try to secure a draw for the return game in London. Obviously that didn't work out, despite them holding out for a long time during the match. But you can't conclude how strong you believe West Ham are by looking at this match alone. West Ham obviously have different game plans for the matches they play, depending on the opposition. Thrashing Freiburg 4-0 shows that they are a side not to be taken lightly when teams play at their ground. West Ham have a good record in European competitions in recent years as well, they were semi-finalists in the Europa League in 2022 and they won the Europa Conference League last season. West Ham have beaten teams like Arsenal twice this season, once in the league and in the League Cup. They are obviously a side to be respected and just because they played ultra defensively in the 1st leg, that doesn't mean they are not a strong side, they are a much stronger side than Sandhausen. Having said that, they will be missing 2 key players for the return leg, both Bowen and Alvarez will be absent, but they still have plenty of other good players. Despite that, Leverkusen should still advance, as they are obviously the stronger side. I have to say, to use the example of Ratingen is slightly disrespectful. There've been a few people on here in the past who've unfairly disrespected the quality of the Bundesliga and I've defended the Bundesliga as it's obviously a very strong league. But it now seems like you're being a little disrespectful to West Ham. Surely you can see that the fact they didn't create much in the 1st leg, is not a representative of what they are capable of when they go out to win a match. As I mentioned they played Freiburg off the park at home in the last round, so they are not to be underestimated, even if Leverkusen are hot favourites to advance. I think that ensuring that Leverkusen don't mess up in this match against West Ham, is more important than potentially losing against Dortmund in the Bundesliga next weekend. I think that this is clear for most to understand.

I'd love it if they go the whole season unbeaten in the Bundesliga, because that would be unbelievable. But I am sure that their young manager Alonso, will want to win as many trophies as possible this season. The upcoming away game against West Ham is not going to be easy at all, although Leverkusen should still come through that match and make it to the semi-finals. But I think that the next 2 Bundesliga matches against Dortmund and Stuttgart will be really tough for Leverkusen. Leverkusen will only have 3 days between their away game to West Ham and their match against Dortmund. That's not a long time to prepare, so it will be a real test for the Bundesliga Champions. I don't think and I am not suggesting that Alonso will rest half the team for the remaining Bundesliga games now that Leverkusen have won it, but I definitely think he will prioritise the Europa League matches and the DFB Pokal final. If there are any injury issues with some of the players, he is not going to risk playing any of them in the Bundesliga if they are not fully fit. He will prioritise the other 2 competitions that they are still in and he might risk some players who are not 100% fit in them. I am sure Alonso wants Leverkusen to remain unbeaten this season, but I think we know what he will want more. Either way, winning the treble and going unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season is the ideal scenario that the club would no doubt like to achieve. It's incredible to think that Bayern Munich have won the last 11 Bundesliga titles on the trot and now Leverkusen have appeared this season and completely dominated the Bundesliga. It's also the 1st time that Leverkusen have ever won the Bundesliga and they have certainly now shrugged off their nickname of "Neverkusen".

Congratulations to the Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen. It's an absolutely incredible achievement for Leverkusen to have won the Bundesliga and in such a dominant fashion. They are still undefeated in all competitions this season and they have played a really high standard of football throughout the season. Bayer Leverkusen have a superb team that is well balanced and a lot of credit for their success must go to Alonso. In his first real job as a manager for a team in a top league, he took Leverkusen to the semi-finals of the Europa League last season. He also guided Leverkusen to a respectable 6th place finish in the Bundesliga last season, after he took over the club in October 2022, when Leverkusen were 2nd from bottom in the Bundesliga table. This season, Leverkusen have been flawless and Alonso has helped guide them to their success superbly. This team is wonderful with so many great players, but Florian Wirtz is the star man. Wirtz is the future of German football and at still only 20 years of age, he will be the main man that Germany will rely on if they are to have a successful European Championships this summer. After now winning the Bundesliga title, Bayer Leverkusen will now focus all their attentions on winning the Europa League and the DFB Pokal final. Winning the treble would be the icing on the cake for an immaculate season for Leverkusen.

Girona have been excellent in most of the matches I've seen them play this season, but they don't have the strength in depth that the other top sides have. They are an exciting team to watch with their attacking style of football. You are also right, this season can already be deemed a great success for them, as they will no doubt be in the Champions League next season. However, a lot of their top players will be in huge demand by other clubs over the summer transfer window. Key players like Dovbyk, Tsyhankov, Aleix Garcia and Miguel Gutierrez will be wanted by a number of top clubs around Europe, while superb winger Savio will be joining Man City. So I foresee next season being a much tougher season for Girona.

Dovbyk scored to give Girona an early lead in the 4th minute away to Atletico Madrid. But a Griezmann penalty goal in the 34 minute and a Correa goal in the 6th minute of injury time in the 1st half, has turned this match around for Atletico Madrid. Half-time score: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Girona

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Bayer Leverkusen will win the Bundesliga title on Sunday, it's inevitable given the form they are in.

Atalanta are a very decent side, it seems like Liverpool underestimated them.

All yesterday's Europa Conference results were close. I'd like to see Plzen and Brugge advance to the semi-finals, but it's going to be a big challenge for both sides.

Bayer Leverkusen's amazing run of going undefeated in the Bundesliga continues. Leverkusen should win their next Bundesliga match at home to Werder Bremen. But then they face 2 very difficult back to back Bundesliga matches against Dortmund and Stuttgart respectively. These 2 matches will come after a no doubt tough 2nd leg Europa match against West Ham. Indeed Leverkusen will only have 3 days between their West Ham match in London and the Dortmund game. I fear they may lose their undefeated Bundesliga run against Dortmund or even Stuttgart. I am really hoping they go the whole Bundesliga season undefeated, because it would be an incredible feat for the club.

Hertha BSC 2-1 Rostock Fürth 1-2 Lautern Paderborn 2-1 Karlsruhe Kiel 3-2 Osnabrück Wehen 0-2 Düsseldorf Schalke 2-3 Nürnberg St Pauli 3-1 Elversberg Magdeburg 1-2 Hamburg Braunschweig 1-2 Hannover