The champions League restarts tonight and tommorow so I guess we will kick off the 15th thread with that. The matches to be played are... Liverpool vs. Inter Celtic vs. Barcelona Chelsea vs. Olympiacos Schalke vs. Porto Lyon vs. Man Utd Arsenal vs. AC Milan Roma vs. Real Madrid Fenerbahçe vs. Sevilla Should be a very good 48 hours for the CL. :thumbsup:
Liverpool 2 Inter 0 Not a great game IMO. I thought Matterazzi was very unfortunate to see red, and in truth that pretty much dictated the rest of the game. Liverpool deserved the win on the balance of play, but were largely poor IMO, whilst Inter defended well for the most part. Gladly take the result, and I'd imagine that that's probably it for this tie, I think Gerrard's goal pretty much killed the tie. I can't see Liverpool NOT scoring in Milan and Inter aren't good enough to put four past Liverpool. Chelsea, didn't watch that game but it sounds as though they got the job done and took home the 'required' result. Can't see the Greeks doing much at Stamford Bridge so that should be another team into the QFs. Roma, came from behind to beat Madrid. Good win on the night but I think Madrid will probably be happy enough to get the away goal. They should progress comfortably after the second leg. Schalke beat Porto 1-0. Does anyone really care what happens in this tie? So, Arsenal V Milan tomorrow night. Sounds mouth watering. Arsenal have something to prove after their mauling against Man Utd at the weekend whilst Milan appear to have struggled of late. This being the CL though, I fully expect Milan to slip into top gear. Could be a close game, and a close tie. Man Utd at Lyon, again, much depends on which Lyon and Man Utd teams turn up. Wouldn't be too surprised at any result from this one, a Lyon win, a Utd win, a draw. I think Utd would probably take the draw, but they'll need the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo to turn it on if Lyon are on form. Celtic at home to Barcelona. Another mouth watering prospect. I'd love to see Celtic do them, but I fear that whatever the result tomorrow night they'll suffer in the Nou Camp. Fenerbahce against Sevilla, again, see the Schalke versus Porto comments.....
I watched the Liverpool game and they deserve the win and the sending off was a little harsh as the 1st foul was not worthy of a yellow card. OMFG how good was that Gerrard goal but Crouch's performance clearly shows him n Torres are the best combo up front. Chelsea should come through in the 2nd leg but the threat of losing an away goal will play on there mind come 2 weeks from now. I feel AC Milan will have too much for the Gunners but I expect Man Utd to shoot down Lyon, more so in the 2nd leg and for me Man Utd will win the CL this year.
Chelsea will be fine. Olympiakos won't score more than one goal at Stamford Bridge, and at home, Chelsea will undoubtedly feel that they can score two goals or more against the Greeks.
Good news on the Gunner's front is Milan is forced to go with their third choice, untested in the Champion's League, keeper. Even so, it will be a tough game. Milan is a strong side, make no mistake. But an older side, particular compared to the youthful Arsenal. So, if Arsenal are on their game and play high tempo, quick passing end to end football, I don't think Milan can keep up. Liverpool showed last night, once again, that Italian sides can often have a hard time with the pace of the English teams. But if Milan score early, or at all for that matter, or Arsenal play restrained and tight, then it can easily go against them. Nervous.
Of course the last time that Arsenal fielded a young side against one of of Europe's maturer elite, they ended up knocking out Real Madrid. Milan are a great team, but you can get after them if you apply pressure at the right points. Milan of course, can also pinpoint weaknesses in the Arsenal team though, so it could be fairly even. I think it's important that Arsenal take some form of lead over to Milan, but as they showed against Madrid a few years ago, they can win practically anywhere.
Am off to watch now but I predict... Lyon 1-1 Man Utd Arsenal 2-2 AC Milan Celtic 1-1 Barcelona A night of draws for me
Heh, I haven't watched Champions League in a while because I dislike all the commercialism surrounding it, but watching Arsenal-Milan now I have to admit that the speed of the game, the technical skills of the players and the tactical perfection of the teams is simply staggering. It's like a completely different game from what I watch in the stadium every week.
I spent the night flicking the channels on the 3 British clubs in action tonight... Man Utd will be very pleased with the draw and away goal, they controlled large parts of the game but didn't do much with the ball. Fergie needs to realise that Carrick gives UTD, much better balance than Hargreaves. Also Giggs is winding down now so Nani will be very important from here on. What a miss at the end for Arsenal and I can't help feel Wenger will rue not bringing Walcott on 5-10 minutes earlier. AC Milan will get the result at home and Arsenal only chance of going through will be the away goal rule should they get one in 2 weeks at the San Siro.
I thought Arsenal played well, very well, up to the final third of the pitch but then were largely ineffective in trying to prise Milan open. They had a decent spell just after half time and came strong again at the end, but for me, Milan were well worth the draw. They defended resolutely, and could have bagged a goal themselves on the break where they looked very dangerous at times. I think they'll pay for missing that chance at the death. Milan to take this tie now, possibly by a couple of goals. Man Utd, yes, will be relieved to get the draw considering that they were behind so close to fulltime, but I think they'll progress comfortably in the second leg. Again, probably a couple of goals in it. Celtic, must be gutted. Ahead twice, but ultimately, were beaten by the better team.
Good work tonight in the UEFA Cup as Rangers, Spurs, Everton & Bolton all made it to the final 16. Aberdeen's journey came to a end but the British clubs are shaping up well. Sadly I feel we will lose Spurs & Everton in the next round as they face the likes of PSV & Florentina. Am not sure who Rangers & Bolton have in the last 16.
I believe Rangers have Werder Bremen in the next round, and Bolton have Sporting Lisbon . So another couple of really tough games for the Brits. BRG
I wouldn't be suprised to see all 4 British Clubs go out though... I would say Everton have the best chance to make it to the final 8, however Bolton have drawn away to Bayern Munich & beat A. Madrid, so they stand a decent chance I guess.
So while we are talking about EUROPE... CL - Man Utd I feel will finally give Fergie his 2nd title UEFA - Bayern Munich surly must win the cup they last won back in 1996.
Congrats to SPURS for beating Chelski 2-1 and winning the Carling League Cup of 2008. Nice to see a club outside the top 4 win it and there prize is a place in next years UEFA Cup. I didn't see the final myself, I was feeling a little Ill but will watch the highlights later.
Just posting to congratulate Spurs's achievement in the Carling Cup too. Kudos to Juande Ramos for the achievement of leading a team of Chelsenal beaters along the way.
I see Avram Grant is getting a lot of stick for saying Chelski should of won, the man is so grumpy Also to let you know from now on I will post these threads in the new Sports section and this one whould be moved into there pretty soon.
Indeed, well done Spurs! I had a feeling Spurs or Everton would either win a cup or break into the top 4 this season. Spurs have lifted a cup, and Everton are fighting for 4th place, although a dearly hope Liverpool take it! BRG PS- After a disasterous season, my Killie finally produced a great performance today when we beat Aberdeen 3-1, with a scoreline which flattered the Dons. This was our first league win of 2008, and a nice wee win away to Gretna in midweek should see any lingering relegation worries dissappear!
^ Nice to hear... It was also a very good week for my Nottingham Forest who won 1-0 away to Orient and reclaimed 2nd spot (automatic promotion). I hope we can hold on to it now and get back into the League Championship.