Champions League Thread (the dawn of time - 2014)

[mattfb]

I don't see what they did as bad, but it was obviously deliberate, you could tell watching live without any evidence. So if FIFA wants to charge them they will be guilty.

 

[BKB1991]

If UEFA put any suspension for those "intentional" yellow cards, I think the club should contest it at a higher court. There is no rule that prevents teams from doing it, and neither is there any evidence that we actually did on purpose.

As far as I am concerned its as much against the spirit of the game as playing a weaker/second string team for a lesser game or resting players who are one booking away from a suspension to ensure they play in the next big game.

As far as I am concerned Jose Mourinho is the smartest man on this planet and UEFA are just stupid.

Totally agree. Mourinho deserves a medal. What a man.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Maybe Walter Smith knew he was taking a risk in this match. They were just playing on the break. Having said that, they did try to attack more as the game went on.

I could understand that away from home, but if Utd had a chance of qualifying for the next stage of the CL, but had to have a go at beating Barcelona or Real Madrid at Old Trafford to get there, I'd want them to have a go! So Rangers got what they deserved - the Europa League.

 

[JBlues08]

With Tottenham finishing first in their group and Arsenal ended up in second spot, it sure makes the Last 16 draw very interesting indeed.

Group Winners
Tottenham
Schalke
Manchester United
Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Chelsea
Real Madrid
Shakhtar Donetsk

Runner Ups
Inter Milan
Lyon
Valencia
FC Copenhagen
Roma
Marseille
AC Milan
Arsenal

No disrespect but I think all the group winners would want to get FC Copenhagen in the Last 16 as they probably are the easiest opponent of the bunch. And there could be a "re-run" of ties from last year's Champions League which could be fun.

The only downside now is we'll have to wait till next Friday for the draw as the Europa League group stage has yet to finish.

 

[Haarithan]

To me Arsenal are probably the most lucky team among the bunch of runner-ups. They cant be drawn against the likes of United,Chelsea and tottenham . But it could have been even better for them had they been drawn in the same group as barca or real during the group stages . These teams wouldn't have drawn arsenal then .

My heart tells me chelsea will draw inter again
back returns the benitez - ancelloti war then (1-1 as of now following their stints at liverpool and milan respectively)

Haarithan added 8 Minutes and 9 Seconds later...

And not to forget madrid's dreaded record in the 2nd round over the past 6 years :

Aggregates after the 2 legs :

2005 : juve 2-1 madrid (aet) (trezeguet brought back the memories of 2003 Semi finals)
2006 : arsenal 1-0 madrid (henry missed a penalty in one of the legs)
2007 : bayern munich 4-4 madid (crashed out on away goals having conceded a late late away goal in the 1st leg at bernabeau)
2008 : roma 4-2 madrid (comeback victories in both legs by roma)
2009 : liverpool 5-0 madrid (arguably the biggest LOL especially given their current forms )
2010 : lyon 2-1 madrid
2011 : Can Mou guide them past this dreaded round ??

 

[JBlues08]

To me Arsenal are probably the most lucky team among the bunch of runner-ups. They cant be drawn against the likes of United,Chelsea and tottenham . But it could have been even better for them had they been drawn in the same group as barca or real during the group stages . These teams wouldn't have drawn arsenal then .

My heart tells me chelsea will draw inter again
back returns the benitez - ancelloti war then (1-1 as of now following their stints at liverpool and milan respectively)

Arsenal cannot be in the same group as Barcelona because they were both in Pot 1. They could have gotten Real Madrid as they are in Pot 2 if I remember correctly but they didn't. Arsenal fans and players will be hoping to get either one of two German teams with Schalke being the most obvious choice.

Ancelotti - Benitez war? Do you think that Rafa is still going to be at the helm come February? Doubt so.

 

[Haarithan]

And really sad to see Italian clubs fare poorly especially after the Milan dominance over these years . And also to note that there will be only 3 representatives from italy for next season's champions league .germany gets an extra candidate and will have 4 teams instead

 

[JBlues08]

And not to forget madrid's dreaded record in the 2nd round over the past 6 years :

Aggregates after the 2 legs :

2005 : juve 2-1 madrid (aet) (trezeguet brought back the memories of 2003 Semi finals)
2006 : arsenal 1-0 madrid (henry missed a penalty in one of the legs)
2007 : bayern munich 4-4 madid (crashed out on away goals having conceded a late late away goal in the 1st leg at bernabeau)
2008 : roma 4-2 madrid (comeback victories in both legs by roma)
2009 : liverpool 5-0 madrid (arguably the biggest LOL especially given their current forms )
2010 : lyon 2-1 madrid
2011 : Can Mou guide them past this dreaded round ??

With Mourinho as the manager, surely they can end that disastrous record. Or can't they? lol

 

[Haarithan]

Ancelotti - Benitez war? Do you think that Spanish Waiter is still going to be at the helm come February? Doubt so.

Yeah agree to this one . The club is really in shackles right now under the leadership of benitez . thiago Motta right after benitez's arrival to San Siro was quoted saying : " I don't think Inter should feel proud having got benitez. Instead its Benitez who should consider himself lucky having got a great team like Inter " . Pretty much summed up the Player's reaction on benitez's appointment . Moratti was a big fan of benitez and thats the only reason his job is still firm and intact

 

[JBlues08]

And really sad to see Italian clubs fare poorly especially after the Milan dominance over these years . And also to note that there will be only 3 representatives from italy for next season's champions league .germany gets an extra candidate and will have 4 teams instead

AC Milan have pretty much faded off since they last won the Champions League. Inter Milan did reasonably well with Mourinho in charge last season. Roma are like dark horses in Champions League but usually unable to mount a serious challenge.

The Italian teams in the Europa League aren't doing very well either. 20 games played between Juventus, Palermo, Sampdoria and Napoli, they have only pick up two wins with the middle two each winning 1 game.

J-Psychic added 1 Minutes and 49 Seconds later...

Yeah agree to this one . The club is really in shackles right now under the leadership of benitez . thiago Motta right after benitez's arrival to San Siro was quoted saying : " I don't think Inter should feel proud having got benitez. Instead its Benitez who should consider himself lucky having got a great team like Inter " . Pretty much summed up the Player's reaction on benitez's appointment . Moratti was a big fan of benitez and thats the only reason his job is still firm and intact

He was probably hired mainly because of his track record in European football since Moratti is always keen to win the Champions League.

 

[Haarithan]

The Italian teams in the Europa League aren't doing very well either. 20 games played between Juventus, Palermo, Sampdoria and Napoli, they have only pick up two wins with the middle two each winning 1 game.

Exactly and only napoli stand a good chance of making the round of 32 . Cant believe Juventus screwed it up with the likes of Lech Poznan edging them . they have signed several quality players this season in Krasic, pepe , quagliarella still they couldn't notch up a victory against the polish minnows who also stunned man city 3-1 at home . This is really not good for italian football , not at all

Haarithan added 3 Minutes and 42 Seconds later...

And what is even more comical is that at the end of the group stages, both milan and inter either top their groups or both finish as runner ups . That way , one of their ties gets postponed by a week . This has always been the case right from 2005

 

[Haarithan]

Final Round of 16 Draws :

Roma vs Shakthar
AC Milan vs Tottenham
Valencia vs Schalke
Inter vs Bayern Munich
Lyon vs Real Madrid
Arsenal vs Barcelona
Marseille vs Manchester United
Kobenhavn vs Chelsea


J-Blues's and Wenger's wishes have been fulfilled over here .
"Bring on Barcelona"- Arsene Wenger earlier today
Roma can consider themselves very lucky and as for Inter and Milan , both face tricky trips with one of their 1st leg fixtures postponed by a week due to the San Siro clash .
Marseille United is a tricky one as well but given United's class , i see only one winner .
Madrid would be looking to avenge their defeat last year to the same opposition.
Valencia also looking for revenge against Schalke who eliminated them in the group stage a couple of years ago.

My probable picks for the QF :

Roma , Valencia , Manchester United , Chelsea , Barcelona , Real Madrid , AC Milan and Bayern Munich

 

[JBlues08]

So, the draw for the Last 16 has been made and there will be 3 re-runs of matches from last season's Champions League.

AS Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk
AC Milan vs Tottenham
Valencia vs Schalke
Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich
Lyon vs Real Madrid
Arsenal vs Barcelona
Marseille vs Manchester United
FC Copenhagen vs Chelsea

The tie of round has to be Arsenal against Barcelona(again!). Most people would expect Barcelona to win again but some would probably be sending gifts to Arsenal IF they can somehow win.

Lyon vs Real Madrid again. I would think Real Madrid will win this time around now that Mourinho is in charge. And nothing too fancy about the Inter vs Bayern clash. AC Milan's match against Spurs should be interesting. Hope there will be a lot of goals.

Finally, what luck for us and Man United to get FC Copenhagen and Marseille respectively. Won't be easy as it could turn out to be a potential banana skin but still, we could have gotten a harder opponent.

EDIT: Too late. lol

JBlues08 added 5 Minutes and 7 Seconds later...

Final Round of 16 Draws :

Roma vs Shakthar
AC Milan vs Tottenham
Valencia vs Schalke
Inter vs Bayern Munich
Lyon vs Real Madrid
Arsenal vs Barcelona
Marseille vs Manchester United
Kobenhavn vs Chelsea


My probable picks for the QF :

Roma , Valencia , Manchester United , Chelsea , Barcelona , Real Madrid , AC Milan and Bayern Munich

While I'm happy with the draw but I would prefer to be cautious. Wouldn't want this to suddenly turn to a potential banana skin tie.

On the Q-Finalists, I agree with your choices there but I'm gonna pick Spurs over AC Milan. Not really convince with Milan.

 

[Ayub 95]

Milan defence ain't the strongest so it will be a battle between the 2 attacks and who will take their chances and don't do silly mistakes (Gomes )

 

[Dr. Pepper]

I expect lots of goals in the Milan/Spurs tie. Spurs' defence has been awful this season, and Milan's hasn't been great either (although they have experience, but lack the physique). The attacks of both teams has been excellent though. The manner in which Milan play will mean the wingers and fullbacks for Spurs will be the key men. In terms of attack, Ibra has been unstoppable of late and they all seem to be gelling very well.

Valencia/Schalke will be an excellent tie as well. I've really enjoyed watching Schalke play this season, Raul has been brilliant.

Barcelona are 10 times better than they were last season when they ran riot against Arsenal. Arsenal's naivety will definitely be their downfall. You can not afford to play the way they do against Barca, they'll get ripped to shreds.