After today's results, we now know who we could face in the second round. We are eligible to play any of the 2nd placed teams, except Sparta Prague as you can not be drawn against a team from your first group. The seven possibilities are: Bayern Munich Lokomotiv Moscow Real Sociedad VfB Stuttgart Celta Vigo FC Porto Deportivo La Coruna Draw is Friday.
Well Bayern are obviously the one we wouldn't want to draw based on past reputations solely. I'd go so far as to say that Coruna and Porto are less desirable than the others as well. I'm sure Roman would love a matchup with Lokomotiv Moscow to go home and show off his purchase. Unless it meant Putin grabbing him on the runway like Khodrokovsky, I would probably choose that one as well.
Can teams from the same domestic league be drawn together in this round? The only teams with this conflict are Real Madrid in the winners group and Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad, and Deportiva La Coruna in the runners-up.
Sheesh, not much to choose from there huh? 1 Portuguese. 1 Russian. 2 German 3 Spanish Now, on top of all this Real madrid can't be drawn against any of the 3 Spanish teams. I'd say it's odds on we'll get Spanish opposition. No easy games at this stage. However, i think with our squad at the mo we are capable of beating any of those sides.Thing is, it's not untill February and a lot can change by then. Moscow in Feb would be brutal as well.
Interesting All three English teams win their group. Chelsea quadruple their co-efficient in 12 weeks from the previous 3 years. Englands co-efficient will ensure 4 teams again 2005.
Last game vs. Man U aside, I wouldn't want to face Stuttgart. Domestically and in CL they remind me of Leverkusen of 2 years ago.
Yeah, I can see that, although I'd be far more worried about Bayern. I wouldn't mind Spanish opposition, really, since Sociedad are stretched far too thin, as are Celta (neither are doing well at all in the Primera). Also, Depor just let in 8 goals against Monaco. I don't think we'll match that, but I like our chances The trick is to avoid Bayern. Yeah, playing at Luzhniki (where I think Lokomotiv play their games) is certainly an interesting and freezing experience. At least its not St. Petersburg. Brrrrrrrr.
People have been telling me that they are not eliminating teams from the same league playing in the knockout stages this year. I just read the regulations and could find any evidence either way.
Section 4.07 says that for the 1st knockout round, Teams from the same association can't be drawn together.
Re: Interesting They're still going to be in a hole next year when they will lose all the points they got in 99/00, which is equal to all the points they got in the following 3 seasons.
I would rate Porto as the most dangerous at this point, with Bayern Munich second due to reputation. I wouldnt want to travel to Moscow either in the middle of winter, even if they may not be as technically sound as some of the other clubs. All in all, I agree that one of the "weaker" Spanish sides (Celta or Sociedad in pariticlar) are our best bets.
Re: Re: Interesting Indeed. We could have the absolutely laughable idea of the Champions league winners not being seeded because of the antiquated "5 year" system.
The draw VfB Stuttgart v CHELSEA Porto v MANCHESTER UNITED Real Sociedad v Lyon Celta Vigo v ARSENAL Bayern Munich v Real Madrid Sparta Prague v AC Milan Deportivo La Coruna v Juventus Lokomotiv Moscow v Monaco Not bad, it will be interesting to compare how we do against Stuttgart with how ManU did. Stuttgart will be looking for revenge following the 1998 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final when we won 1-0 in Stockholm. I like the Bayern Real draw too! Of the home sides I think Arsenal have the hardest draw.
Re: The draw you do realize that Celta Vigo is in relegation zone from La Liga right? Stuttgart-Chelsea is gonna be damn tough
Re: Re: The draw Not as bad as getting Bayern or Porto, but this is the 3rd toughest second seed. I can't wait for those Real Bayern games. Or the ManUtd - Porto ones. We'll probably be seeing those, too, as opposed to the Chelsea ones
Re: Re: The draw I don't like it at all to be honest. I think there could be trouble for us in this one.Of all the sides i didn't want to see us get this is the second worst one i thought, their countrymen being the absolute worst draw in my opinion. German teams are damned tough when there is a sniff of silver, and on top of that this is a very good team. I think the game will be won and/or lost in Germany. If we come away defeated i doubt we will advance. It will be a great test of not only the teams ability to handle the pressure at that stage, but, of Ranieri as well. Lots of time to pass between now and the kick off, injuries, loss of form, etc etc. Too early to predict anything.
I would have rather avoided the ethels to be honest. But we should get through, although I can't see a lot of goals in this one.
Re: Re: Re: The draw Same here. At the time of the draw, this is the clash of the EPL leader and the Bundesliga leader. Bayern is living on their history, but they have been struggling this season. Stuttgart is in top form. BBC's website claimed that all three English teams got favorite draws. What BS. Celta Vigo or Locomotive Moscow would have been a much better draw.
Re: Re: Re: The draw I agree, going into this I thought the two German sides were by far the worst draws and what do you know we get one of the two.