Champions League: Who's having a Laugh?

DapperGent

I voted Man U meself, but only becuase I think Chelsea Vs Barca is a coin toss. I'd put money on the winner of that to win the whole thing. Best two teams in the competition.

cruiserweight

I think that some people are taking Milan to lightly! When the drae was made initially I thought Milan would beat Utd easily, but with Man Utds recent run of form it is hard to tell, but I think Milan have just enough quality to beat Utd!

As for Chelsea versus Barca I always thought Barca would win this and now with Robben out injured I think that Barca will almost definietly win! Chelsea are short a quality striker and a left sided defender!

Arsenal have a good chance of progressing against a Bayern team that are perhaps not playing as well as they should! But Bayern are going well in the Bundesliga and have quality players so this one will be close!

Liverpool have the easiest draw, but how well they do against Bayer will depend on the first leg (with Gerrard suspended) and who is fit to play! I can see them adopting a 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1 formation!

So I think that Liverpool and if lucky one of Arsenal/Utd will go through, and after that who gets the furthest depends on the draw!

cournioni

cruiserweight wrote:

I think that some people are taking Milan to lightly! When the drae was made initially I thought Milan would beat Utd easily, but with Man Utds recent run of form it is hard to tell, but I think Milan have just enough quality to beat Utd!

Well in fairness, United's form of late along with their form against Italian opposition could have alot to do with the way people are voting.

Arsenal are like a three pinned plug, both are useless in Europe. Bayern although not the team they were, are always a threat in Europe. German teams don't lie down and take a beating.

Liverpool have a decent chance of going through but I think Leverkusen will beat them as Morientes will not be playing and Leverkusen have a decent team, as said above they won't lie down easily.

Chelsea v. Barca is a tough one to call, but I think Chelsea without Robben will be a big factor in the tie. Chelsea without Robben just don't seem to be able to score goals, and I think this will be the case against Barca. Barca's attack will really test the Chelsea defence... And I think that Barca will come out on top.

LegacyUser

Such a pity Barca V Chelsea and Utd V Milan are on the same night...

I want to see both matches so badly...

eirebhoy

cheesedude wrote:

Such a pity Barca V Chelsea and Utd V Milan are on the same night...

I want to see both matches so badly...

Watching the likes of Duff and Ronaldinho, no contest.

Gileadi

people saying chelsea are finished without robben in the team is abit harsh,theres alot more potential in the squad than just him and duff,the next match im guessing joe cole will start and will be played as previously in a robbenesque rolein the 4-3-3

i could see chelski trying out some alternate formations like a 4-4-2 diamond formation that Mourinho used alot at the start of the season and with porto last year but with somebody like duff as the offensive midfielder with gudjonsen and drogba up front, it worked well with porto in the CL so could be a good runner

evilhomer

Chelsea should have hammered Man City at the weekend but James pulled off some brilliant saves! Without Robben defences can concentrate more on marking Duff but he will still get in some good crosses and have a few shots.

If Drogba plays he will score, no doubt about it! He scores alot against European teams because he gets more space then in the premiership. He will always be a threat from set pieces.

Lampard has to show his quality in that match, although when spain played england last year Xavi walked all over Lampard.

Chelsea to scrape through.

Man utd are on a great run of form and Ferguson knows how to prepare his team for Europe. So that match will be a tough one to call. Schevchenco is back for madrid and will trouble any defence in the world(especially one with Silvestre in it).
Can't call it. Probably go to extra time after second leg.

Arsenel will lose IMO, they just can't cope with european defences.

Liverpool will lose on away goals, without Gerrard and Morientes they become one dimensional. will Xavi Alsonso still be out for that match?

The Clown Man

I'm going to base my chelsea vote on the fact that Mourinho seems to have European football down to a tee. (And to a lesser point on the basis that I'm a Chelsea supporter!) He won the CL last year with a team that had half the talent of the Chelsea team even without Robben.

I'd expect him to retreat to his Porto/early season style tactics and play 4-5-1 defensive away and hope to concede none and maybe pinch a set piece or two. No doubt anyway he'll have a very good idea on how to strangle Barcas midfield and try to make sure Ronaldinho doesn't get so much as a look in. (If that's at all possible!)

I'd say he has a very good idea of how to control the game regardless of Robben's injury. He must do if he won the Uefa and CL back to back. And all 5 competitions Porto entered into in his last 2 years. Oh, and nearly the Premiership and the as good as the League Cup with Chelsea. Anyway point is I have a load of faith in him. He certainly seems to know his stuff.

Big Ears

evilhomer wrote:

Chelsea should have hammered Man City at the weekend but James pulled off some brilliant saves! Without Robben defences can concentrate more on marking Duff but he will still get in some good crosses and have a few shots.

If Drogba plays he will score, no doubt about it! He scores alot against European teams because he gets more space then in the premiership. He will always be a threat from set pieces.

Lampard has to show his quality in that match, although when spain played england last year Xavi walked all over Lampard.

Chelsea to scrape through.

Man utd are on a great run of form and Ferguson knows how to prepare his team for Europe. So that match will be a tough one to call. Schevchenco is back for madrid and will trouble any defence in the world(especially one with Silvestre in it).
Can't call it. Probably go to extra time after second leg.

Arsenel will lose IMO, they just can't cope with european defences.

Liverpool will lose on away goals, without Gerrard and Morientes they become one dimensional. will Xavi Alsonso still be out for that match?

First of all , its more time you get in Europe , not space .(especially against Italian sides who like to draw you on , before winning the ball and countering)
Second Xaxi not only walked all over Lampard but pretty much walked on water that night(and many others) and finally Shevchenko plays for Milan .

The Rooster

cheesedude wrote:

Such a pity Barca V Chelsea and Utd V Milan are on the same night...

Is that a fact?

Presumably that means Arsenal and Liverpool are both on the alternate night - which surprises me as it means both German teams will be playing on the same night, so that would surely upset the German broadcasters?

Anyone know which teams are playing on the first Tuesday?

A Dub in Glasgo

22/02/2005
Real Madrid 20:45 Juventus
Liverpool 20:45 Leverkusen
PSV 20:45 Monaco
Bayern 20:45 Arsenal
23/02/2005
Porto 20:45 Internazionale
Barcelona 20:45 Chelsea
Man. United 20:45 Milan
Bremen 20:45 Lyon

The Rooster

Thanks - forgot Werder are still there.

That means (I believe) that the 2nd leg of Barca-Chelsea might not be available to those of us who don't have ITV2 (assuming ITV1 and TV3 both plump for ManU as usual).

mike65

The Rooster wrote:

Thanks - forgot Werder are still there.

That means (I believe) that the 2nd leg of Barca-Chelsea might not be available to those of us who don't have ITV2 (assuming ITV1 and TV3 both plump for ManU as usual).

Liverpool are on ITV2 in UK so no good for cable here, TV3 showed Liverpool when prompted before winter break so a few well timed e-mails would'nt go amiss....

Mike.

p.pete

mike65 wrote:

Liverpool are on ITV2 in UK so no good for cable here, TV3 showed Liverpool when prompted before winter break so a few well timed e-mails would'nt go amiss....

Mike.

Drat! I have ITV2 but I also have to work the late shift in work next week :mad:

The Clown Man

Drat?

Aquos76

liverpool are also on tv3.

http://64.77.87.5/sport/

check the champions league section.

_blank_

The Clown Man wrote:

Drat?

Holy Mackeral

mike65

Fiddlesticks!

Mike.

BaZmO*

Suffering Suckatage!!!

Pigman II

Dagnabit!

Big Ears

The Rooster wrote:

That means (I believe) that the 2nd leg of Barca-Chelsea might not be available to those of us who don't have ITV2 (assuming ITV1 and TV3 both plump for ManU as usual).

Will it be available on SKY ?

mike65

SPORT: Champions League Football
Channel: TV3 103
Date: Tuesday 22nd February 2005
Time: 19:30 to 23:05
Duration: 3 hours and 35 minutes.
Live coverage of the clash between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, plus highlights of Real Madrid playing Juventus, Bayern Munich and Arsenal and the goals from the PSV v Monaco match.

Mike.

Dr Bolouswki

I voted liverpool - easiest draw...

I think Man U and Chelsea will both struggle to get through the next round - though Utds experience in Europe should not be understated, and likewise Mourinho's tactical nous could be an advatage... if either get through the next round, they both have a very good chance.... I still think Utd lack depth, but I suppose the horse and smith are on their way back....

Arsenal, sad to say, don;t seem convincing at all...

So anyway, do ye's like me new sig?

evilhomer

Big Ears wrote:

First of all , its more time you get in Europe , not space .(especially against Italian sides who like to draw you on , before winning the ball and countering)

How can they draw you in without giving you space to be drawn into?

Big Ears wrote:

Second Xaxi not only walked all over Lampard but pretty much walked on water that night(and many others)

I never said Xavi wasn't a quality player, i think he is one of the best passers of the ball in the world and a great allround midfielder.

Big Ears wrote:

and finally Shevchenko plays for Milan .

Yeah i know that. was a mistake oops(must read replies more carefully in the future)

Big Ears

evilhomer wrote:

How can they draw you in without giving you space to be drawn into?


I never said Xavi wasn't a quality player, i think he is one of the best passers of the ball in the world and a great allround midfielder.


Yeah i know that. was a mistake oops(must read replies more carefully in the future)

Yes but Drogba is a forward , meaning where he does his work there will be no space , he will be tightlt marked .

I know I was just trying to emphasize how good Xaxi really is.

Finally I don't relly have a response to your last bit .

jonny68

My guess is that Man United will gop the furthest but i dont think they`ll actually win it....

PHB

It now appears that both Drogba and Robben are out.
Quite a depleted attacking line up for Chelsea now, how shall they handle it
Injuries are hitting them at the wrong times

Big Ears

PHB wrote:

It now appears that both Drogba and Robben are out.
Quite a depleted attacking line up for Chelsea now, how shall they handle it
Injuries are hitting them at the wrong times

That Barca defense is dodgier than people think , and Duff , Cole and Gudjohnson are capable of tearing it to pieces .

I wouldn't be suprised with two MOM winning performances from John Terry in these games .

Caesar_Bojangle

Ah crud! Tv3 showing the Liverpool game. Tv3's overall presentation of games is pure crud.

Did both Rte and Tv3 broadcast the final last year?

PHB

I just saw that Arsenal's defense is now missing Sol Campbell.
Not that I think arsenal are a one man team, but I honastly believe they aren't goign to win this now, especially not the first match, unless the strikers play like they did last weekend.
They seem to be hitting a good run of form coming into this match, but Sol is a huge huge huge huge blow that could mess that up

Brian017

Caesar_Bojangle wrote:

Did both Rte and Tv3 broadcast the final last year?

No, only RTÉ

Gangsta

PHB wrote:

I just saw that Arsenal's defense is now missing Sol Campbell.
Not that I think arsenal are a one man team, but I honastly believe they aren't goign to win this now, especially not the first match, unless the strikers play like they did last weekend.
They seem to be hitting a good run of form coming into this match, but Sol is a huge huge huge huge blow that could mess that up

Yes we'll definetely concede. Hopefully Henry, Pires, Bergkamp (is he going) and Vieira will be on fire. If they are Bayern have no hope. We'll hopefully edge it through over the two legs.

uberwolf wrote:

I think people are looking at this round by round.

LFC have the easiest draw for the coming round. I don't think anyone expects them to win but it is conceivable - though unlikely that they could be the only PL team through

The pool may have the weakest opposition of the four but they themselves are the weakest of the english quatret so I don't think their tie is easy at all. If benitez gets it right tactically, then they'll go through, otherwise I don't know.

PORNAPSTER wrote:

Arsenal are like a three pinned plug,

What do you mean.

Predictions:
Arsenal - Bayern Arsenal (to scrape it, come on!)
Man U - Milan Utd (with the sensational form they're in)
Chelsea - Barca Barca (Barca will show their class)

Headshot

man utd i know they can beat AC Milan especialy VAN the man is back but he has no match fitness but with THE 4 R,s

Roy
ROnaldo
Ronney
Rio

we can beat them

just bring it Milian

i cant see chelsea beating barca

PHB

Andrei Shevchenko has been ruled out of Milan's crucial UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester United next Wednesday.
The Ukraine striking star clashed heads with Simone Loria after just ten minutes of Milan's Serie A match against Cagliari on Saturday evening.
He was immediately withdrawn looking very groggy and with severe looking bumps to the side of his face.
Scans have now shown that the European Footballer of the Year has fractures to both his cheekbone and eye-socket.
Shevchenko will undergo surgery on Monday and Milan are hoping he will be back playing in 10 to 12 days time.
"We are sorry because he suffered a bad blow and we hope he can recover in a quick time," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.
"This can be a stimulus to the other players to do even better and make up for his absence."
Shevchenko will definitely miss the game against United and the local derby with Internazionale next weekend, but he should be fit for the second leg of the Champions League tie with The Red Devils on March 8 at The Giuseppe Meazza.

BOOYEYYAEYHEAHYEAYHEAYHEAYHYHEAHYYAHEHY

I know I should feel bad about this, but I dont!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOOHOOOHOHOHOHOOO
CRESPO is their goalmouth threat BOOYEYAHAEHEAHYEAHYHAEY

case n basket

PHB wrote:

BOOYEYYAEYHEAHYEAYHEAYHEAYHYHEAHYYAHEHY

I know I should feel bad about this, but I dont!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOOHOOOHOHOHOHOOO
CRESPO is their goalmouth threat BOOYEYAHAEHEAHYEAHYHAEY

Good to see you're maintaining a high level of coherency.

Ballack is a doubt for Munich now, which will be a big blow to them if he misses the first leg.

dirkey_wynne

PHB wrote:

BOOYEYYAEYHEAHYEAYHEAYHEAYHYHEAHYYAHEHY

I know I should feel bad about this, but I dont!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOOHOOOHOHOHOHOOO
CRESPO is their goalmouth threat BOOYEYAHAEHEAHYEAHYHAEY

Crespo is top quality though, don't underestimate him after he didn't fit in well with Chelski. He's one of the best in the world.

PHB

Well I'm just going from what I've seen of him this season in Serie A, and tbh, I'm happy he is their threat, especially compared to Shev

case n basket, find me someone who didn't understand that post

Chucky the tree

ballack is a doubt for bayern now apperantly. big blow for them if he is out.

eirebhoy

You couldn't ask for a better replacement for Sheva in Crespo.

jank

Pity he(sheva) is out i would have liked to have seen the best XI from both sides to play each other. Thats what its about aint it

I suppose with Balack being out might make up for Sol to be out but id take the 2 of them to be fit anyday so that the best XI can play each other.

PHB

The best eleven isn't what football is about though, its about the best team

The Rooster

Massive loss for Milan. Personally, I dont think Crespo is anywhere near as good as Shevchenko.

mayordenis

On his day crespo is as good as anyone.

Wolf

eirebhoy wrote:

You couldn't ask for a better replacement for Sheva in Crespo.

Crespo is good, but, Shevi I magical. Also, tbh I believe AC's best eleven realalistly,atm would deffinity have the edge over Man U.

Brian017

We shall see.

eirebhoy

Brian017 wrote:

We shall see.

No we won't as Shevchenko and Inzaghi are injured.

jank

The best eleven isn't what football is about though, its about the best team

REALLY!!

ok but no more moaning from you about how the FA ban on Ferdinand ruined Utd's league hopes

PHB

I don't follow you, where would be the fun in removing the moaning from football?
If Duff got injured now, and chelsea threw away the league, and United won.
United would have desreved to win, but chelsea fans are still entitled to moan

Bannor

PHB wrote:

I don't follow you, where would be the fun in removing the moaning from football?
If Duff got injured now, and chelsea threw away the league, and United won.
United would have desreved to win, but chelsea fans are still entitled to moan

Don't laugh but there's a rumour that Duff has picked up an injury.

Thanx 4 The Fish

I love it

PORNAPSTER wrote:

United to go on and win it. All other English teams will go out in the 2nd Round.