[han2503]

Back after 7 long years.

I don't know if it will be a happy time for us given the group we've been saddled with, but unfortunately those are the consequences of being in the wilderness for so long and not taking the EL that seriously.

[X-Offender]

We should still give it a shot, at least to pass the group stage. We had the most difficult match of the group, which we could have tied if we were a bit more attentive. Now we have to focus on making as many points as possible against Atletico and Porto. And they are not prohibitive opponents by any means.

Atletico are a top team on paper but this year they've been struggling big time to win. 0-0 vs Porto, two draws in the league (remember the insane 98th minute own goal of Villareal), and three minimalistic wins against low-table opponents (with another 99th minute goal against Espanyol). Not to mention they play a very defensive and low-tempo game which might suit us.

Whereas Porto are totally at our level and within our possibilities to win both times.

We must at least try.

[han2503]

We should still give it a shot, at least to pass the group stage. We had the most difficult match of the group, which we could have tied if we were a bit more attentive. Now we have to focus on making as many points as possible against Atletico and Porto. And they are not prohibitive opponents by any means.

Atletico are a top team on paper but this year they've been struggling big time to win. 0-0 vs Porto, two draws in the league (remember the insane 98th minute own goal of Villareal), and three minimalistic wins against low-table opponents (with another 99th minute goal against Espanyol). Not to mention they play a very defensive and low-tempo game which might suit us.

Whereas Porto are totally at our level and within our possibilities to win both times.

We must at least try.

Yes agreed totally. I want to see us give our best in the CL, if for nothing else, than for the legacy this club holds in that competition.

My point was that we must not lose sight of where we came from. Maybe I wasn't clear in my previous posts. I don't want us to half @ss the CL simply because of a defeatist attitude. But I don't want to see Milan fans lose their sh!t either over the opening game against Liverpool at Anfield either. Where aside from the opponents being a very good side, there were some clear nerves in our general play. Players I wouldn't expect to make certain mistakes were making basic errors. We just have to be patient with this side, it was the 3rd youngest side that started from matchday 1 if I am no mistaken. So these growing pains are to be expected.

We're not rocking up to these away pitches with the star studded sides of the early 2000s