2008/09 UEFA Champions league [R]

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

As far as going forward I see it as the English teams and Barcelona. From the English teams I discount Arsenal, because as soon as they face decent opposition, they will be eliminated. I don't watch Serie A much, but Roma's league position, and their performance in the first leg, indicated to me that they were the weakest of the Italian sides.

Liverpool do not have the best squad of the remaining English sides. They have a solid core of players, Gerrad, Mascherano, Torres, Carragher, and then a bunch of squad players like Lucas, Benayoun, Kuyt etc. But somehow they always find a way to get through in competitions like this. Some of that credit has to go to Benitez, simply because I can't think of any other explanation. Perhaps Benitez doesn't really care about the Premiership and beating teams like Middlesbrough, and he just turns it on for the midweek European nights. So even though Liverpool look weak, I can't discount them

Chelsea are in a similar situation. They have several players who are playing at about 50% of their ability for whatever reason. Drogba and Ballack are two examples of players who were superstars, but now are something far less. Essien is coming back from injury, Mikel is inconsistent, one night playing outstanding and the next miserable. But this squad is just too talented to be discounted from going all the way.

Villareal and Porto seem to me to be just making up the numbers. Atletico's form in the league recently, read inconsistent makes it hardly surprising that they lost to Porto. In the interest of full disclosure, I have not watched a game of the Portugese league all season. So could they make an unexpected and unforeseen run to the finals, or simply knock someone off? Maybe, but I'll have no idea how they did it. Villareal by contrast are probably the second best Spanish team right now. They don't have a deep squad, but they are talented, mesh well together and as we saw in the group stage, can frustrate even the biggest clubs. If they are matched up against the English clubs, it wouldn't shock me if they were able to pull an upset. I don't see it however.

Bayern might be getting talked up by everyone and their mother, but anyone who watches the Bundesliga on a regular basis, knows that there are serious holes in this team. On paper they looked pretty good, especially if you only look at the scoresheet. But while they blew Sporting out of the water, in the league they've had trouble beating the bottom feeders. This is madly inconsistent squad that can beat anyone on their day, or lose to Energie Cottbus. They could go to the final, or they could be bumped off next round by Porto.

That leaves United and Barcelona. I've said enough about both of them recently, plus this post is already way to long. I don't see alot between these two teams. United have a better defense, the best in Europe. But I don't rate Barcelona's that far behind. I still think one of these two teams will win the tournament.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

I think UEFA's lottery draw is rigged, don't know how but that's what I think. I get the feeling we will see Liverpool v. Man Utd in the quarters.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

I basically agree with all of your assessments exactly. Thanks for saving me the time to write them up.

That being said, I'll be rooting for whatever is not expected to happen to happen.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

As for Porto i watched them all last season ( lıvıng ın Porto ) and whıle the defence and keeper can be patchy - the mıdfıeld and front lıne are very good. Lucho Gonzalez ın midfield and Lısandro Lopez and up-front are probably as underrated as Tymo for Zenıt ıe very very dangerous players and ıt's normally dıffıcult to wın at Estadıo Dragao.
The Englısh teams should beat them easıly gıven the dıfference ın resources but ıf they screw up at home anyhtıngs possıble.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

I hope they draw all four English teams against each other.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

There's going to be one English team there anyway. Better than two.

This is starting to resemble what would happen if there was a Champions League of All Hockey leagues. The NHL teams would beat everyone, there might be a KHL team that stole a game or two somewhere, but eventually you'd end up seeing the Wings and Sharks in the final anyway.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

Please god - Arsenal -Utd and Chelsea - Liverpool , weed out the crap ( Arsenal and Chelsea ) and soften the other two up. It's like watching the old firm games in Scotland , you don't care who wins you just hope there'll be loads of red cards and fights.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

Lets face it, the English teams are better run.

Especially better than the Spanish teams. The Spanish teams are spending money that is getting them nowhere but in debt. Real Madrid has the best goalie and can get any player they want and still lose 5-0.

Inter Milan and AC Milan have teams that when I watch it is like a time machine back to 2001 except for Inter's few legit players who are actually in their prime now.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

AC Milan would have won the Champions league with their squad, ten years ago.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

Stupid comment either of the finalists in 1999 would have run rings round Milans bunch of pensioner defenders , better midfielders as well ( Kaka apart ) and better forwards too.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

It was a joke, implying that Beckham, Ronaldinho, Maldini, Nesta, Kaladze, Inzaghi, Sheva etc. were all very good players, 10 years ago, not so much now.


The draw it out for the next round. Disappointment reigns, Chelsea-Liverpool, the epitome of boredom returns. The match of the round is Barcelona-Bayern. United seem to have it all set up for an easy final run, with Porto and either Arsenal-Villareal to follow. This only means that they won't do it. At this point, I just hope Bayern or Barcelona make a run.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

Better now than in the final.

Yea I'll end up watching the Barca game(s) and maybe catch a bit of Chelsea-Liverpool.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

Ha ha ha I knew it and even posted it, as a joke, somewhere. Chelsea have no chance.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

Riise left.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

ManU has such an easy draw to the final. Great.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

After listening to Cowherd, he makes a great point. Brackets make things more interesting. Like the NCAA Tourney basketball. They need to outline the entire tourney from July - May. Bracket the entire thing, put the groups in and have the brackets set based on the groups. Cut this multiple draw. Bracket the entire thing so we know the potential matchups from day 1 to the end. Way more interesting that way.

Like the herd says, brackets make things more interesting. everyone hates draws. they smell of bullshit and create more inequity than if they dont exist.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

Right after that, make it single knockout. A guy can dream can't he.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

you can try a trick of just watching the second leg, it will have the same effect

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

I'm super pissed Chelsea-Liverpool are playing and even more pissed that 4 english teams advanced this far and all the italian clubs are out. I really hope we don't have another all english final, I also truly hope Man U won't go any farther. I'd really like to see a Bayer - Arsenal final but I doubt it will happen. Also the best match in this draw in my opinion is no doubt Barcelona Bayer I'm really pumped to watch that.

 

Re: FSU in 2008/09 UEFA Champions league

I think our collective wills, rooting against Man U is working.