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Yes, it is obvious that for Real to reach the final they need to win against City + Bayern/Arsenal. Individually, these tasks are quite realistic, but collectively the chance is reduced. I think that the overall probability of this is approximately 30% (by the way, the same as for the other teams from this thread towards the finals).
13-14 and 15-16 - those were good times, the two best teams from Madrid found out who is the strongest club in Europe (and the World)
That makes sense to me. The game against City is the biggest hurdle they have to take on their way to the final. I don't see Bayern quite on the same level as City, but as you said taking both hurdles combined makes it less likely for them to get into the final. But the team is absolutely ready for those games. Good to see that Vinicius Junior is doing well again after his injuries. I love watching him play. I feel he sometimes gets too distracted by this idiotic racism shit, but as long as he can turn it into positive anger and play one level above his best, it's ok for him as a player (not as a human being though as that should be handled far more rigorously).
If Real can take the City hurdle, I think they'll be the favorite in the next stage no matter whether Arsenal or Bayern make it there.
I would guess that Barcelona having trouble right now is overestimated. First of all, last year they were the champions, they are literally the latest champions of the league, saying that they are not doing well is unreasonable, secondly they have one year right now where they are not the champions if they lose this season (when they lose it) so it is not a big deal.
On top of that, they are a team with a lot of financial trouble, so they managed to do the right thing and figured out a lot of great young players, they have 6-7 great young players that can play amazingly and I believe that they should be doing fine. I think the best thing to do in this case would be just considering them lucky and they can be doing better next season with what they have.
Exactly, On top of that, they are a team with a lot of financial trouble, so they managed to do the right thing and figured out a lot of great young players, they have 6-7 great young players that can play amazingly and I believe that they should be doing fine. I think the best thing to do in this case would be just considering them lucky and they can be doing better next season with what they have.
In fact, in my personal opinion, the achievements that Barcelona has achieved so far under Xavi's coaching have been being very good. because with Barcelona's current condition, with its very limited financial problems, with the problem of its players being less than optimal due to their financial condition, but Xavi was able to bring Barcelona back from adversity, won La Liga last season, appeared and entered the UCL QF, and also Barcelona is currently runner up in La Liga. So, this is an achievement that I think is actually very good.
However, unfortunately, certain parties are truly overreacting and ignorant. They want very excessive things. What this means is, they want Barcelona to be as strong as before, to always appear brilliant with big wins, and always want their club to become champions and be able to win in various matches, and even be able to compete very closely with Real Madrid. They want it to appear as if Barcelona is in the same condition as its glory days when Messi and his friends were still at the squad, when Barcelona didn't worry about financial conditions, and so on. And Xavi is required to be perfect in every game he plays. And this is what makes Xavi seem fed up with these conditions, the excessive pressure and various pressures and things that are not appreciated there. It's not fair for him. Although yeah, it is his responsibility to make and rise up Barcelona, but this is too much with this current Barcelona condition and management.