View Full Version : Let's talk Champions League....
newterp
28 Jan 2009, 05:12 PM
since it's our only chance at silverware this season. (let's be honest...FA Cup - we are going to lose in heartbreaking fashion)
we can beat Real Madrid - I know it.
they are still not good. We get the second leg at home.
blanconi
28 Jan 2009, 05:16 PM
I wouldn't say the only chance at silverware but I do fancy us over Real to go through.
CCSC_STRIKER20
28 Jan 2009, 06:06 PM
Ah. The Champions League will be a nice distraction. Because by that time I am sure we will have fully shit the bed on our title chances.
newterp
28 Jan 2009, 06:20 PM
Ah. The Champions League will be a nice distraction. Because by that time I am sure we will have fully shit the bed on our title chances.
I see what you did there...stop stealing my thunder!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
el-capitano
28 Jan 2009, 06:31 PM
I'm just waiting for someone to come up with the- maybe we should lose- so we can concentrate on the league! ;)
el_urchinio
28 Jan 2009, 06:34 PM
Nah, this will be Rangers from a year ago. Somehow, we'll beat Chelsea, Man U will drop points to sh*tty teams, and a we'll find ourselves top of the table AND playing in the CL final in mid-April. It'll all fall apart horribly from there, naturally. :p
liverbird
28 Jan 2009, 07:26 PM
I for one ain't quitting yet
usscouse
28 Jan 2009, 07:43 PM
Yes, let's talk champions league. It's the only league left to us.
I'll be quite happy to swallow those words but........
CCSC_STRIKER20
28 Jan 2009, 09:42 PM
Good news on the Champions League front.
Huntelaar and Diarra won't be playing against us.
Kawklee
28 Jan 2009, 09:59 PM
Good news on the Champions League front.
Huntelaar and Diarra won't be playing against us.
One man graced at birth with a very intimidating name, the "Huntelaar!" and another cursed from childhood to bear one that slightly resembles "Diarrhea."
Makes me all the more happy to just be another "Smith."
...but now, on topic, got a link to the infos? My interest is piqued.
CCSC_STRIKER20
28 Jan 2009, 10:03 PM
One man graced at birth with a very intimidating name, the "Huntelaar!" and another cursed from childhood to bear one that slightly resembles "Diarrhea."
Makes me all the more happy to just be another "Smith."
...but now, on topic, got a link to the infos? My interest is piqued.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7843347.stm
There you go Mr. Smith.
:D
canesfan00
29 Jan 2009, 03:14 AM
As much as I'd like to catch this either on ESPN2 or Setanta, I've decided to go and try to catch both of these legs live, in person. I've been researching on getting tickets and I have a little bit more confidence of getting tickets for the first leg in Madrid, but I can't for the life of me, get anything for the second leg at Anfield (probably due to the attendance system they implemented for the group stages). I've whored myself to all the official North American supporters branches and have been unsuccessful. Would someone here happen to know anyone who may come into contact of getting tickets for the second leg or have any useful information that they could pass along?? I know i have a less than 1% chance of getting tickets, but I've decided to explore all of my options. Worst case scenario, I'll just have to catch the match at a pub.
As for the game itself, what many people have mentioned has indeed happened. That is, that Ramos has managed to change the mentality of the players and they aren't lacking confidence anymore. While we have managed to get draw happy and haven't looked our best in the new year. I'm glad that only one of their two signings can play, rather than both. I still favor us to go through since I feel that Madrid's only real threat is Robben and their defense isn't too intimidating. I' hate for this to have to go into a shootout, featuring Riena and Casillas.
Grinners89
29 Jan 2009, 06:44 AM
Good news on the Champions League front.
Huntelaar and Diarra won't be playing against us.
Diarra would make Madrid a much better defensive unit and would provide protection that neither Gago or Guti wish they could provide to the back 4.
And Huntelaar is not a good player...even if he was in the squad, Raul, Higuain and Robben would start in a front 3 or Raul and Higuain would start in a 2 up front. I would love Huntelaar to play against us as his game outside the box is more limited than when Kuyt is playing up front, on one leg and completely out of form. I would suggest that Ngog, Pacheco and Nemeth have a greater tactical understanding of the game outside the box than Huntelaar, who, with all his limits, makes RVN look like a second-striker. A very poor mans version of RVN.
usscouse
29 Jan 2009, 12:22 PM
One man graced at birth with a very intimidating name, the "Huntelaar!" and another cursed from childhood to bear one that slightly resembles "Diarrhea."
Makes me all the more happy to just be another "Smith."I take it that you don't know what Smith means in Swahili...:eek:
revelationx
02 Feb 2009, 11:42 AM
Real Madrid have chosen Diarra to play against us. :)
Grinners89
03 Feb 2009, 05:51 AM
Real Madrid have chosen Diarra to play against us. :)
Not surprised at all...they had to choose between a 3rd choice forward and a first choice midfielder.
ForeverRed
03 Feb 2009, 04:13 PM
Not surprised at all...they had to choose between a 3rd choice forward and a first choice midfielder.
I think this game will be closer than many people think.
Madrid has been steadily becoming better over the last couple of weeks and are playing with increased confidence. And I actually think Diarra is a class player with a lot of potential.
The tie could go either way even though some people may put us ahead given our CL record in the last couple of years.
newterp
03 Feb 2009, 04:54 PM
I think this game will be closer than many people think.
Madrid has been steadily becoming better over the last couple of weeks and are playing with increased confidence. And I actually think Diarra is a class player with a lot of potential.
The tie could go either way even though some people may put us ahead given our CL record in the last couple of years.
I agree - but at the same time I think everyone that had sense even back in December knew that Real would improve and get better. Diarra was brought in specifically to shore up the midfield and he has done so. And at the end of the day they have Iker Casillas in goal - so heck yeah it's going to be a tough tie.
What we do have - as you mentioned - is a strong strong belief in Europe.
CCSC_STRIKER20
03 Feb 2009, 05:20 PM
I think this game will be closer than many people think.
Madrid has been steadily becoming better over the last couple of weeks and are playing with increased confidence. And I actually think Diarra is a class player with a lot of potential.
The tie could go either way even though some people may put us ahead given our CL record in the last couple of years.
When this tie first came out, we were flying pretty high, and Madrid, well they were not doing too good.
Now, it seems like we are just getting back on our feet after a rough January, and Madrid seem to have hit a more consistent run of form.
Either way, they should be two good matches, and they will both be on ESPN I am sure. So that makes me happy. :)
blanconi
03 Feb 2009, 09:52 PM
Madrid has been lacking consistency in the CL in recent years. A low scoring, compact game will favour us. That's how I see it.