I am happy to say that they ALL made it to the final 16 barley but surely. Lets see if we can have 2 Spanish teams in the finals.
Can Soci, Depor, or Celta be drawn against Madrid, or do they try to keep nations apart for the next round as well? I think the draws on Friday, so we'll know soon enough. Quango
European Draws Champion's League First Leg, Feb 24,25/ Second Leg, Mar 9,10 Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich Celta Vigo vs. Arsenal Deportivo vs. Juventus Real Sociedad vs. Lyon UEFA Cup First Leg, Feb 26/ Second Leg, Mar 3 Barcelona vs. Brondby Valencia vs. Besiktas Villarreal vs. Galatasaray Mallorca vs. Spartak Moscow Tough draw for Madrid! Valencia and Villarreal get a Turkish showdown with Champion League drop outs and Barca's playing a team I've never heard of. Anyone know who Brondby is? Sociedad may have gotten the best draw in the Champion's League, but I don't know how well Munich has been playing. How did Spain get 8 spots in Europe? Quango
Brondby are one of the 2 best teams in the danish league. Their coach is the former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Micheal Laudrup. Peter Schmeichel, Brian and Micheal Laudrup used to play in the club.
Re: European Draws La Liga positions 1-4, Champions League 5-6, UEFA Cup Kings Cup Winner, UEFA Cup Intertoto (Villareal), UEFA Cup
Re: Re: European Draws They had 8 spots last year too, with Malaga qualifying through the Intertoto (at Villarreal's expense.) Doesn't happen every year, but at least the past two. Interesting matchups, especially for the Champions League. Real Sociedad probably got the best draw, Lyon may be the weakest of the #1 seeds. Real Madrid got arguably the toughest non-Spanish #2 team, Juve are Juve and Depor will have it rough, Celta gets a streaky Arsenal team that could play tremendous and blow Celta out, or lay an egg like they do every year in the Champions League (esp. against Spanish opposition, I'm sure they are glad they don't have to face Valencia again). I have a feeling Celta can pull this off.
Re: Re: Re: European Draws Maybe, but they are still a very talented side who finished ahead of Bayren Munich and Celtic. I would not be underestimating them if I were you. It's not a slam dunk Sociedad advances past them.
Re: Re: Re: European Draws I think they faced each other in a Uefa Cup fixture 3-4 years ago, Arsenal humiliate them
I wouldn't be surprised to see only one team making it through to the next round, hell, given that these matches will take place months from now giving Munchen enough time to get their act together, I wouldn't be surprised to see 0 Spanish teams going through. But then I said almost the same thing about the Spanish teams making it to the 2nd round
Re: European Draws Obviously La Liga having 8 clubs in both competitions means that it is the best league this year. I should get my head out of my ass, studying up on La Liga, and start following a very exciting and good football league.
Re: Re: Re: Re: European Draws There's no doubt, especially the way that Real Sociedad are playing lately, that Lyon should be considered the favorite. They're a quality side, but historically vs. Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juve, probably the least accomplished of those four in the Champions League. No slight on Lyon. It's always good to see a French team do well, and as someone earlier in this thread mentioned, it wouldn't be a surprise to see only 1 Spanish team make it through to the quarterfinals.
Re: Re: European Draws I know I'm quoting myself, just too lazy to retype all that again. Well, is there something to be said about La Liga being the one of the best if not the best footie league in Europe? I love the English Premiership, but I'm not closed to other arguments.
Re: Re: Re: European Draws I find that arguments on who has the best league tiresome. I don't think there is much difference between the top three leagues (Spain, Italy, England) and it should be just said that they're the top 3 leagues in Europe. And really it is subjective on what your preference is. I support La Liga and no amount of argument is going to sway me from that league. Frankly there is so much futbol played nowadays that I get bored pretty easily unless it is team that I support or I have a passing interest in (such as a favorite player on that team). For example, Serie A and EPL are fine leagues but I just have no interest in watching them. I tried watching Middlesbrough one time this season because Mendieta plays on there but I literally fell asleep during that match (0-0, no surprise there). Really I think there needs to be an emotional investment in order for a game to really be worth watching, or at least that's the case for me.
Juanele... I completely agree. Boro is VERY boring! I don't care which league is better. I just want to learn more about other leagues so I can find a club to support and that will put some passion into me watching more football. I currently love the EPL. The Bundesliga, I have been watching this season, but still haven't found a club to back. Same with the Scottish and Dutch league. Wish I could see SerieA and LaLiga! FSW, shows the Argentinian and Brazilian leagues. I have tried for the last 2 yrs to get excited about their matches, but I feel nothing and get bored quickly.
Re: Juanele... kinda hard nowadays but I hope you join us in the suffered ship called FC Barcelona ever heard about the last argentine champion, champion of Copa Libertadores and just recently crowned champion of the Intercontinental Cup?
Re: Re: Juanele... LoL! Much respect 4 you Mario, even though your team have been performing like crap for years now, you are still out there supporting them with all your power. That's what I call a true fan.
Re: Re: Juanele... Yeah Boca Jrs! It's similiar to many leagues, 2 big powerhouse clubs battling for the crown every season. River Plate is the other one.
??? A true cule would go with Valencia or anyone having a chance to take the title away from Real Madrid.