[lond2345]

who can stop them? they are playing soccer from another galaxy!

[kevbrunton]

Short answer -- NO -- definitely not in this stage -- nobody to threaten them among AEK Athens, Genk & AS Roma.

The only one that I might have mentioned as even taking any points against them is Roma at home, but they've already blown that.

We'll see how the next stage draws out -- then MAYBE.

[Spartak]

Originally posted by lond2345
who can stop them?

Ronaldo will stop them. He will ruin their chemestry and they will crash out of the second group stage. Or at least I hope so

[appoo]

that was a fake AS Roma team with their best attackers injured or suspended. AC Milan has very good balance with Maldini and Nesta in the back, and Rui Costa, Rivaldo, and a red hot Filippo Inzaghi in the attack. IMHO, I think they will provide the biggest road block to Real and the Cup.

[RuiJorge2002]

Originally posted by appooOnU
that was a fake AS Roma team with their best attackers injured or suspended. AC Milan has very good balance with Maldini and Nesta in the back, and Rui Costa, Rivaldo, and a red hot Filippo Inzaghi in the attack. IMHO, I think they will provide the biggest road block to Real and the Cup.

I agree completely. At this stage, the only team that looks like it could put a stop to Real would be AC Milan. The only problem with Milan is that a couple of key injuries could send the whole season on a downward spiral. Real has a very deep bench, and I think that's one of the biggest reasons that they're so successful over the long haul.

[Jawz10]

Defensively, yes, Milan are short on options, but offensively an injury could be a blessing in disguise as it would help the coach to avoid conflicts of interest amongst the many attacking options he has. Consider this, Andriy Shevchenko, the clubs leading scorer the last 3 seasons and in some circles considered one of the best if not THE best striker in the world is on his way to recovery from a knee injury. And he won't miss the chances Inzaghi does.

[kevbrunton]

AC Milan aren't in the same group, so they're not going to stop them anytime soon.

If you're talking longer term or the overall competition, then you'd have to include Arsenal in the list of teams that could give Real a game.

I know Arsenal doesn't have the tradition in the CL, but they sure seem to be playing well.

Also, I'd hesitate to count ManU out and I'd expect Bayern Munich to rebound from only taking a point in their first 2 games. They'll both be there in the next stage.

[Clan]

The Arse made quite the statement today stuffing PSV, in their own gaff yet, and coupled with their fine domestic form without GVB and Pires in the middle, could well givew them a run for the money.

[mnthunder]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by kevbrunton


I know Arsenal doesn't have the tradition in the CL, but they sure seem to be playing well.


I agree, Arsenal is one of the few teams in the CL that could challenge Real in the latter stages. They are also one of the few teams that could continue playing at a high level after and injury or suspension.

[Casper]

Yes, someone can beat them.

This is soccer. Particularly in the home-and-home stages where a couple of breaks / mistakes can completely change the outcome, they can be beaten.