they're not a CL favorite by a longshot, but they look much better.

key differences:
-araujo today >>>> defender than anyone last year (pique looked gassed and super frustrated and lets his emotion take him out of games. Pique still better than araujo, but the gap is smaller than people want to acknowledge)
-Dest >> roberto and more athletic which helps. and roberto in a rotation >>>>> roberto as regular
-FDJ in the right position. good god does he look unstoppable now
-Pedri >>>>>> rakitic/vidal. much better possession and creation and plays within the system well

add in griez actuall in form and dembele healthy and when fati returns too, and the attack is much better.

Bayern would still beat them, but it wouldn't be so crushing.
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you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia