UEFA Champions League

[JulioF]

Is it possible to even field a starting 11 of all Englishmen amongst the big 4?

Goalie - Foster?
LB - Cashley
CB - Terry
CB - Carragher
RB - G. Neville
MF - Gerrard
MF - Lampard
MF - Scholes
MF - Carrick
F - Rooney
F - Walcott

6+5 rule would not be kind to any big team. Christ, Liverpool had more Spaniards in their starting 11 than Real Madrid did!

Arsenal haven't shown that they're a top 4 squad this year. The team lokks a bit stronger when you include players from the newcomers to the top 4.

Goalie - Foster?
LB - Cashley
CB - Terry
CB - Sidwell
RB - L. Young
MF - Gerrard
MF - Young
MF - Scholes
MF - Carrick
F - Rooney
F - Agbonlahor

 

[forumla1]

Carragher and Sidwell over Rio Ferdinand?

Hilarious...

Both of those lineups are ridiculous.

 

[David Beckham 23]

Fuck!! What a time for Vidic to have the worse match in his Man U career. And against Liverpool.

 

[the_big_E]

Arsenal haven't shown that they're a top 4 squad this year. The team lokks a bit stronger when you include players from the newcomers to the top 4.

Goalie - Foster?
LB - Cashley
CB - Terry
CB - Sidwell
RB - L. Young
MF - Gerrard
MF - Young
MF - Scholes
MF - Carrick
F - Rooney
F - Agbonlahor

Arsenal are still part of the big 4 until removed otherwise, and after today's performance they're back in 4th (temporarily). Villa are struggling, Arsenal are rising...they'll be in 4th when its all said and done.

 

[Barca]

Fuck!! What a time for Vidic to have the worse match in his Man U career. And against Liverpool.

Meh...still 5 points up and in charge. I have no doubt Man United will win the league. The question is will they win the Champions League as well?

 

[forumla1]

Meh...still 5 points up and in charge. I have no doubt Man United will win the league. The question is will they win the Champions League as well?

After today's performance, I'm very nervous.

They should be able to, but they need to put a hell of a lot more determination and capitalizing on their scoring opportunities in their upcoming performances.

 

[Barca]

After today's performance, I'm very nervous.

They should be able to, but they need to put a hell of a lot more determination and capitalizing on their scoring opportunities in their upcoming performances.

This is what I don't get about United fans though. The utter dominance they have shown this year. The fact that they had a crazy schedule in December. The fact that they are inline for 5 different trophies requiring them to play a ridiculous amount of games. It's going to take it's toll. They will have an off game. Likely, one of those trophies will slip away, but Sir Alex won't let more than that happen. Get a grip! LOL!

 

[forumla1]

This is what I don't get about United fans though. The utter dominance they have shown this year. The fact that they had a crazy schedule in December. The fact that they are inline for 5 different trophies requiring them to play a ridiculous amount of games. It's going to take it's toll. They will have an off game. Likely, one of those trophies will slip away, but Sir Alex won't let more than that happen. Get a grip! LOL!

As a United fan and a football fan I know that key matches can sway how titles are won and lost. How trophies can easily slip away.

As far as being in the running of 5 trophies, that is really irrelevant. So because they are in the running for 5, that means they can afford to lose a chance at any of them? Really?

They lost to their key rival in the worse way imaginable. I take it you're a Barcelona fan? Would you like to see Real Madrid cakewalk to a 4-1 at Camp Nou?

This loss was an absolute kick in the teeth. Liverpool wanted it more, came to a place where they've played absolute rubbish season after season and completely dominated United.

Sir Alex can preach all he wants, it's the players that have to execute. They didn't come remotely close today. The English Premier League title is far from over... and if they play like that in any of the knock out competitions remaining, it's going to be a very disappointing season.

 

[Barca]

I'd put money on United winning. Yeah, losing today was probably a missed opportunity, but United have shown they rarely let up. Liverpool will continue to miss opportunities like they have been all year, drawing with teams they should really be beating and United will continue to be consistent.

This could have ended the EPL title race, I agree. But as a soccer fan, it's sort of fun to keep 'pool in the race and then see the race to the finish.

Believe me though...Sir Alex is ripping them a new one in the locker room.

 

[Big Michael]

As a United fan and a football fan I know that key matches can sway how titles are won and lost. How trophies can easily slip away.

As far as being in the running of 5 trophies, that is really irrelevant. So because they are in the running for 5, that means they can afford to lose a chance at any of them? Really?

They lost to their key rival in the worse way imaginable. I take it you're a Barcelona fan? Would you like to see Real Madrid cakewalk to a 4-1 at Camp Nou?

This loss was an absolute kick in the teeth. Liverpool wanted it more, came to a place where they've played absolute rubbish season after season and completely dominated United.

Sir Alex can preach all he wants, it's the players that have to execute. They didn't come remotely close today. The English Premier League title is far from over... and if they play like that in any of the knock out competitions remaining, it's going to be a very disappointing season.

Formula, relax man, I am an avid Arsenal fan and I can't see you guys blowing the league, it's over. The only game that you guys could lose on the run-in is to Arsenal. Everton away and Spurs away could be tricky but you will get something. At worse, ManU could drop 7 points which is still comfortable enough to win (on goal differential). Neither Chelsea or Pool are going to win all their games, Arsenal will see to that. As well, both Chelski and 'Pool don't have the same depth as ManU and the CL grind will kill the league form of those two teams, especially 'Pool.

In the FA cup, I can't see you guys not getting by Everton to the finals. I think Arsenal is the only team that I can see giving you any trouble in the finals. Rio and Vidic can handle Drogba however Terry and Carvalho cannot handle ManU's attackers.

The CL is a crap shoot, give up an away goal and you're in trouble. Right now if I had to seed the remaining teams I would go:

1. 'Pool providing Torres and Gerrard are healthy, otherwise their out.
2. ManU, I know Barca is everyone's 1st or 2nd but Barca leaks alot of goals.
3. Barca, I love their style but not convinced, backline and GK are shaky.
4. Chelski, what a difference Essien makes, best all-around player in EPL, IMO.
5. Bayern, solid team, haven't seen a lot of them but some great talent.
6. Arsenal, just because
7. Villareal, how did they lose that game to Athletico
8. Porto, evertyone wants to play these guys.

Can you imagine a 'Pool-ManU final in Rome . You know the local Ultras will not want to miss out on the fun, it will be a full-fledged Donnybrook.

 

[Big Michael]

Quarterfinals Draw

Villarreal - Arsenal
Man. United - Porto
Liverpool - Chelsea
Barcelona - Bayern

Liverpool and Chelsea go at it again in the marquee match, but Barca-Bayern will be the most exciting match by far. ManU fans have to be licking their chops, they are in the same half of the draw as the three teams considered to be the weakest of the 8.

Liverpool and Chelsea have to beat up on each other and the prize for the winner is Barca (assuming Barca beats Bayern which is not a foregone conclusion). The way I see it, the draw pretty much ensures that ManU wins the EPL.

Okay get your picks on..

My picks: Arsenal (well you know why), ManU, Pool (but I reserve my right to change if Gerrard or Torres are not healthy, Barca (I think Barca are going to have a lot of trouble with Bayern due to Barca's leaky back 4 and GK), but I am hoping for an Arsenal-Barca final so we can pay them back for 2006.

 

[David Beckham 23]

Big Micheal, I like your picks but the only thing you're missing is the upset. I can't go against my boys against Porto so my upset special is bye bye Gunners.

Villarreal - Arsenal
Man. United - Porto
Liverpool - Chelsea
Barcelona - Bayern

Semi

Man U over Villareal
Chelsea over Barcelona

And yes I said it.....Man U vs Chelsea. With Man U winning on penalty kicks where Droga misses.

 

[bullitt]

my picks:

ARSENAL

MAN UNI

LIVERPOOL

BAYERN

i like liverpool all the way.

 

[ROGER O. THORNHILL]

Interesting Match Ups

A few thoughts on this:

Villarreal has one one of the youngest, most exciting goalies in Diego Lopez. We always get caught up in young new stars out on the pitch like Auguero and Pato to the point of forgetting the new-up-and-coming goalies that will be the future Kahn's, Casilllas' and Buffon's. Lopez is one of those guys. Along with Capedevilla and Senna in the midfield, they have a very good chance at giving Arsenal a run for their money.

Porto is simply outmatched by Man U in this leg.

Liverpool can take Chelsea so long as Gerrard and Torres are not injured. Spanking Man U. like a petulant child last week has only boosted their confidence and are rearing to go.

Barcelona and Bayern is the most interesting of all these match ups. With shades of last summer's EuroCup at the base of this (Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta all on the Spanish National team, vs. Klose, Schweinsteiger and Podolski on the German National team) I'm sure Bayern is looking not just to win this but a little pay back as well. A powerhouse German club vs, the Catalan Giants goes a little beyond just a CL match up. Puyol should be back from injury by the time we get to the first leg, and since Pique and Busquets have upped their game, Guardiola's Boys should have fun earning their hard fought victory vs. BM and look forward to the Semi finals.

 

[Big Michael]

Big Micheal, I like your picks but the only thing you're missing is the upset.

The only possible upset I see is Porto over ManU.

I would give Villareal and Arsenal a 50:50. I think the general lack of knowledge of Villareal makes them seem like the Dog, but as Bridgemean saya, they are a very good team. Also, Villareal held their own quite well against ManU in the group stages, two ties if IRC.

Chelsea-Pool has to be 50:50

Barca are favoured over Bayern, but can't be by much. Bayern winning is very plausible IMO.

 

[Big Michael]

Villareal 1-Arsenal 1
ManU 2-Porto 2 ---2 away goals for Porto

Good results for Arsenal and excellent result for Porto. I caught the first half of the ManU game and (damn TSN2 no bars downtown with it, if anyone knows one, please pass along) had to catch the second half of Arsenal game on the net. Fergie played it a little safe IMO by not starting Giggs and/or Tevez instead of going with the more defensive Fletcher and Park, especially at home.

From what I hear Arsenal was outplayed in the first half, glad I missed it actually. Nice goal by Adebayor!!

So a 0-0 or 1-1 back at Porto and they are through, massive potential upset. Seems like Fergie's preference is to win the league over CL otherwise he would have played the Aston Villa game on Saturday. Actually, can't blame him.

 

[Barca]

I saw the ManU game...I have no idea what the hell happened there but they just could not get things going. I didn't think it was possible, but Porto may indeed come out with the upset here.

 

[Big Michael]

Hey Barca, your team looked awesome.

Well based on today's results, we have determined two of the semi-finalists. I can't see Liverpool coming back and as for Bayern, assuming Jurgen still has a job, will be simply looking to not get embarassed at the Allianz.

 

[ROGER O. THORNHILL]

Hey Boys!

Guardiola's Catalan Boys are my team as well. Presently, I am in a bathtub full of champagne with a girl from Munich who keeps saying: "Das is Goot, no?" And she's not talking about Paella!

Viva, Barca!!!!

 

[Insidious Von]

In Barcelona you live well and shit strong and Bayern are covered in it.

There is no joy in Merseyside; they get their asses handed to them at home and they are owned by a pair of charlatans who default on their interest payments. Chelsea is a different team when Essien is healthy.