*****Official Sparta Prague v Champions Match Thread*****

[The Specky Forum Organiser 64,941]

1 minute ago, graeme_4 said:

I know. I’m not saying we are actually above it or that we are better than other teams in and around it. Just that the wind came out the sails after Malmö. It just doesn’t feel exciting. No butterflies or anything. Just another run of the mill European tie.

Contrast the Lyon atmosphere vs some of the earlier Gerrard EL ones. 

Know what you mean but disagree about the excitement bit, I love this competition.

[The Specky Forum Organiser 64,941]

Just now, bluenoz said:

I always thought Slavia got too much praise on here last year. Need to beat their counterparts to prove that.

Slavia are the much better team, tonight's nothing would prove nothing regarding that.

[Prso's headband 35,505]

We are a EL team and will be probably for a long time barring next season if we win the league after that Uefa changes the competition structures I’m sure. 
 

There definitely does feel like a Euro hangover, I think most of the fans, management and players felt we’d get into the CL. we’re definitely not above the level we’re playing at though and it’d be good to to try and continue to establish ourselves as  regular team in the latter stages of the EL

[BlueSuedeSambas 53,816]

Would bite your hand off for a point tonight. 

[Goianegra 4,682]

Hopefully they totally underestimate us thinking we're as shite as they were last season.

[TheKingObv 10,646]

53 minutes ago, graeme_4 said:

It feels a bit below us to be honest. Think the come down of not making the champions league has been reflected in both the atmosphere & performances. 

Obviously still hoping / expecting a result, but won’t be flying off the handle like I would be if we lost at the weekend. 

Can understand being disappointed at not being in the CL, but to say the EL is below us is delusional haha.

[bluenoz 30,905]

7 minutes ago, DBBTB said:

Would bite your hand off for a point tonight. 

[ritchieshearercaldow 22,158]

Bad form, trouble scoring, defence as dodgy as a 5 Bob note.
Not confident at all, as long as it’s not an embarrassment.

Hopefully a draw at worst

[Bad Robot 21,194]

3 points please, that’s all. 
 

[Big Al 55 9,269]

A point puts us in decent place for a second place in the group.

Unusually I’m reasonably positive. 

Next few league games could define our season though 👍

[bluenoz 30,905]

What does Hagi have to do to get a start?

Interesting line-up

[ForeverAndEver 71,547]

Haha wut

[Siam69 26,962]

4 minutes ago, Rangers_no1 said:

Confirmed 11

McGregor

Tav Balogun Bassey Barisic

Davis Kamara Bacuna

Aribo Sakala Roofe

Fuck, saving Morelos for Sunday?

[The Specky Forum Organiser 64,941]

Interesting team, wonder if we're going to have a go since we can press higher with pace at CB?

[gazza27 15,283]

 

[Prso's headband 35,505]

That’s one of the most interesting teams Gerrard has put out. He’s never been one for a shock starting XI. 
 

Think we must be looking to counter them with pace. Really looking forward to seeing Bacuna starting 

[ShanksRFC 3,869]

Interesting team and Morelos on bench.

[Big Al 55 9,269]

Not sure Bacuna got 90 minutes in him, good to see him start. Sakala in for his pace on the break.

[rangersross 6,530]

I think Sakala's running could be really effective against a higher standard of opponent. I'm optimistic. 

[BlueKnight87 17,301]

Very interesting 11 we are going with tonight. 

Be good to see Bacuna from the start. Hopefully fashion pace can give them problems. 

Surprised Hagi didn't get a start.

[EMRFC 4,786]

Channeling his inner Guardiola tonight I see 

[Swagger 8,058]

I like it. We’ve been pretty pish so far this season so why not mix it up. Free hit tonight anyway, anything from the game is a bonus 

[bluenoz 30,905]

There is a lot of pace in that line-up. Surprised but I like it.

[EMRFC 4,786]

Just now, Swagger said:

I like it. We’ve been pretty pish so far this season so why not mix it up. Free hit tonight anyway, anything from the game is a bonus 

We should be going for a win after GW1…

[bigblueyonder 11,156]

Wasn't very confident going into this match after seeing the line-up I'm somehow less confident. 

Hope I'm proved wrong though.