Champions Leage draw

These groups are great. By far the greatest group is Group A as all four teams are evenly matched. But the others are ok.

 

Milan plays Real on the first match day. I expect that'll be the ESPN2 game.

 

SoccerTV reports that Milan/Real will be shown on Nov. 26 and Ajax/Roma will be shown on Dec. 10, both on ESPN2. And remember Setanta is showing every CL match involving English clubs. Which means both ties of Inter/Newcastle, Roma/Arsenal, and Juve/Man Utd can be seen in the US.

 

Perhaps, but nowhere within 200 miles of me, I'm guessing. Does Setanta have first rights on all English matches, or does ESPN sell them? I wonder if that is determined by each phase. I'm pretty sure ESPN shows SOME matches involving English teams - at least once things reach the knockout rounds.

 

I'm pretty sure Setanta only has the rights to the English games that can't be seen in the US on ESPN2. They also had the rights to the Greek and Turkish clubs but there aren't any of them left. I can only assume they have the rights all the way through to the quarterfinals but hopefully ESPN2 will start showing games on both Tuesday and Wednesday so it won't be as hard to see matches this year.

 

i like group C despite Lokomotiv Moscow: three teams who play a propositive,offensive football,no speculative tactics. But i hoped Juventus could draw Real,IMO it's a good match up for the bianconeri

impossible to tell who will come out of the groups as the bulk of the matches are going to be played three monts from now: no team in the CL is superior enough to the competition to be able to survive a slump of form

 

here's who advances:
Group A: Barca and Inter. Bayer or Newcastle if they play the greatest football of their lives, but both of them wouldn't advance. that's just too impossible.
Group B: this in my opinion is the most difficult group to judge because every team is strong. Valencia's champion's league form has been unbelievable, however, i've been so impressed with their chemistry and team play, so i think they'll advance for sure. I really don't think Roma has what it takes, they've just been too mediocre. if Ajax is healthy, i see them having upsets over Roma and Arsenal to take second.
Group C: Real Madrid and AC Milan. Milan has been playing lights out (Inzaghi is just an unreal poacher. i hate playing those type of guys) and even though Real Madrid has been playing below par, they should be able to advance on the class and quality alone of their players.
Group D: This group is only slightly less difficult to judge than Group B only because they have Basle. Look for Depor and Man U to have a couple grudge matches. I think Manchester, however, doesn't have the imagination of years past, and their vulnerability--defense--has been evident for quite some time now. It goes without saying that any three of these teams could advance, and win the whole competition, Depor showed heart to make it here given their injuries, namely missing their truly inspirational playmaker Valeron, and Juve has been so difficult to unlock while at the same time getting the job done offensively, if a bit workmanlike. i see the Old Lady and Depor moving on to the quarters. Rebuttals?

 

MAN! I wih w drew Real. Then Ronalo ill wish he sayed with us! Oh doody....... Or group is hard...... none of the teams in our group our easy. Here are my predicitons:
Group A:
1. Inter
2. Barcelona
3. Newcastle
4. Bayer Leverkusen

Group B
1. Valencia
2. Arsenal
3. Roma
4. Ajax

Group C
1. Real Madrid
2. AC Milan
3. Dortmund
4. Lokomotiv Moscow

Group D
1. Juventus
2. Manchester United
3. Deportivo
4. Basle


BTW, what is Setenta?????????????????????????QUETION MARK!¿

 

Closed Circuit/ PPV television. Typically shown in soccer friendly bars and pubs.

 

Group A:
1. Barcelona
2. Newcastle
3. Inter
4. Bayer Leverkusen

Newcastle pull of the success story of the season by qualifying from the group. They are already in the history books by becoming the only team to loose there first three matches and still qualifying from there group. Bacelona although they are poor in the League I belive they will steam roll through this group, Inter will go out here and Leverkusen although last uears beatern finalists have sold all there decent players and are now just an average side.


Group B
1. Valencia
4. Ajax
2. Arsenal
3. Roma

The Spanish Dominance will continue in this group as Valencia will unbeaten. Ajax, Arsenal and Roma will be fighting it out to the end but i belive It's Ajax's time to shine again and will out perform the other two.

Group C
1. Real Madrid
2. AC Milan
3. Dortmund
4. Lokomotiv Moscow

This one is relativly straight forward. No one is going to bet against Real Madrid and if AC Milan keep up there present from They will come in second. By The time Matchday 10 rolls round Dortmund and Moscow will only be playing for pride.

Group D
1. Deportivo
2. Juventus
3. Manchester United
4. Basle

Spain continue there winning way as deportivo take the group but not without a struggle against Juve, whoi i think will end just a point behind Deportivo. Manchester United can kiss Good bye the thought
of getting through as Sir Alex's Time finaly self destruct and only pick up 6 points from the group. Basle?? They are the true whipping boys of Phase 2 and although what they did in the previous round was nothing short of a miracale Its time for them to Crash and Burn.

 

Italian in the quarters

Italian team by team.

Inter: Midfield must improve so much. They were outclassed by Ajax in the middle, and were lucky to win due to the inexperience of Ajax's youngsters. Barca could give them trouble if they keep playing with consitency in the CL, but they have yet to face a quality opponent and could falter under Crespo and Vieri assaulting their goal. Newcastle will be difficult to beat at St. James, so the clash at San Siro must be a victory. This year's Leverkusen isn't last year's Leverkusen, and Inter should be able to win the home gay and at least draw at the Bay Arena. If they are able to beat their opponents at San Siro, Inter could go through, but luck will have to be on their side as it has been for the season so far.

Roma: Another team lacking consistency. If Totti is available for all CL matches, then Roma can escape the group. They must take advantage of Arsenal's away form and win at the Olimpico against the Gunners. They will need to take all three from Ajax at home as well. All of their away games will be difficult, though, and they must get afew draws, maybe even a win. I don't expect that away win from Arsenal though.

AC Milan: They play pretty football, but wil they falter against Real? This will be an interesting encounter, but if AC Milan play like they did for the first 4 matchdays, they should be able to make easy work of Real, as Milan's backline is superior to Real's. Dortmund will be another battled, but the Milan midfield should be able to open up their defense. Hopefully Shev plays more than Inzaghi against Dortmund and their talll defenders, since Inzaghi disappears against such opposiition. Locomotiv will be a difficult away match in the East. Milan should advance.

Juventus: Probably the most balanced Serie A side. Bubbling with talent in all areas of the pitch. They must defeat Man U at home, as it will be hard at Old Trafford. Deportivo will be difficult with the resurgence of Valeron in the winter, but They grab at least 4 points from the two encounters. Basle will be hard ot be in the winter, but at home, it should no problem. They will advance if they can knock out Man U.