Champions League Draw

[mazzatelli1000]

Chelsea v Juventus

Villarreal v Panathinaikos

Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich

Atletico Madrid v Porto

Lyon v Barcelona

Real Madrid v Liverpool

Arsenal v Roma

Inter Milan v Manchester United

Wow!! there are some cracking match ups
Man U v Inter, Fergie against Mourinho - should be fun to watch

But being the long time Barca Fan I am, I say Barca all the way....6 nil winners in the final ::

 

[Bushman]

Chelsea v Juventus

Villarreal v Panathinaikos

Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich

Atletico Madrid v Porto

Lyon v Barcelona

Real Madrid v Liverpool

Arsenal v Roma

Inter Milan v Manchester United

Wow!! there are some cracking match ups
Man U v Inter, Fergie against Mourinho - should be fun to watch

But being the long time Barca Fan I am, I say Barca all the way....6 nil winners in the final ::

Please God don't let Fergie or Rafa win it .... please, please.

Would love the Silver Fox to get one with his stable of African stars.

Might be nice, however, if we have a non-English final this year - Barca/Real Madrid vs Inter Milan or Bayern Munchen. Licking the lips in anticipation at some real technical football rather than the English pump it long and giggle style?

Dang it - I'll go Barca too. Is Rijkjaard still the coach by the way? Bit out of touch with La Liga these days.

 

[MRC & Co]

United for me over Inter any day of the week. Mancini and Queresma have been disappointing for me lately. Shut down Ibra and you have Inter locked. Though, their wingbacks are very good at creating space. Ferdinand or Vidic on Ibra and you have Inter in the bag. Can't see them upsetting United over two legs.

Barca has already shown lately what ease they can go through Lyon, and they are better now than then. Should be a quick fire destruction!
Lyons only chance is to do an Italian job on them!

Liverpool will be too much for a STRUGGLING Madrid.

Arsenal over Roma.

The one I think could be an upset, is Chelsea V Juve. Juve have a way of winning despite not looking spectacular. I would still pick Chelsea, but would not be surprised to see Juve find a way to pull it out.

Villareal match is a terrible one. Don't even care who wins this one, but I would imagine Villa will come through with the goods, more technical quality with a fully fit squad.

Atletico over Porto, the loss of Queresma and Bosingwa has Porto looking terrible in comparison to their slick style over recent years.

Munich over Sporting. Way too much firepower, with the likes of Toni, Klose and Ribery or even Podolski coming off the bench, Munich could really do some damage this year if all are fit!

Bushman, Rijkaard is long gone, THANK GOD! Pep has Barca in devestating form! Have to be favouries. And English football has some GREAT technical ability these days, even Chelsea move the ball on the ground well these days, and both United and especially Arsenal (though not so much as of late) do so well too. But no doubt, Barca are the most technically gifted squad on earth.

 

[mazzatelli1000]

United for me over Inter any day of the week. Mancini and Queresma have been disappointing for me lately. Shut down Ibra and you have Inter locked. Though, their wingbacks are very good at creating space. Ferdinand or Vidic on Ibra and you have Inter in the bag. Can't see them upsetting United over two legs.

Barca has already shown lately what ease they can go through Lyon, and they are better now than then. Should be a quick fire destruction!
Lyons only chance is to do an Italian job on them!

Liverpool will be too much for a STRUGGLING Madrid.

Arsenal over Roma.

The one I think could be an upset, is Chelsea V Juve. Juve have a way of winning despite not looking spectacular. I would still pick Chelsea, but would not be surprised to see Juve find a way to pull it out.

Villareal match is a terrible one. Don't even care who wins this one, but I would imagine Villa will come through with the goods, more technical quality with a fully fit squad.

Atletico over Porto, the loss of Queresma and Bosingwa has Porto looking terrible in comparison to their slick style over recent years.

Munich over Sporting. Way too much firepower, with the likes of Toni, Klose and Ribery or even Podolski coming off the bench, Munich could really do some damage this year if all are fit!

Bushman, Rijkaard is long gone, THANK GOD! Pep has Barca in devestating form! Have to be favouries. And English football has some GREAT technical ability these days, even Chelsea move the ball on the ground well these days, and both United and especially Arsenal (though not so much as of late) do so well too. But no doubt, Barca are the most technically gifted squad on earth.

Bah!!
Mourinho's coaching technique tends to take away creative talent than nurture it.
Shevchenko, Crespo, Robben, Quaresma, Mancini, Gudjohennsen, Duff

Yes agree United look the stronger!!!

Lyon v Barca - I thought after the trinity was split up (Dinho, Deco, Eto'o) that we might be struggling, but hell we're even better than before. Hope these matches will convince Benzema to come to Barca

Juve vs. Chelsea - I say Chelsea - simply because Ranieri has a history of failing in the big matches - always close but no cigar

Reds v Madrid - Reds because I simply hate Real --- hahaha

As a side - I do hope to see AC Milan click and be back in the UCL next year. I wanna see Ronnie in peak form at least once more like back in the Barca days. Glorius!!!!

 

[Pager]

I'm a big football fan, West Ham is my team and they ain't doing too well let alone getting anywhere near the Champions league

Some cracking ties coming up and i enjoy watching and following it though, don't mind who wins as long as its not Chelski , a team i detest, but coming from the East End of London i was bought up to dislike them as most East End kids were and still are, Chelsea are West End for anyone wondering why.

So its Juve, Juve, Juve for me in the up coming games

 

[MRC & Co]

Bah!!
Mourinho's coaching technique tends to take away creative talent than nurture it.
Shevchenko, Crespo, Robben, Quaresma, Mancini, Gudjohennsen, Duff

Lyon v Barca - I thought after the trinity was split up (Dinho, Deco, Eto'o) that we might be struggling, but hell we're even better than before. Hope these matches will convince Benzema to come to Barca

As a side - I do hope to see AC Milan click and be back in the UCL next year. I wanna see Ronnie in peak form at least once more like back in the Barca days. Glorius!!!!

ha ha, true about Mourinho. Though Shevchenko, Crespo and Gudjohnsen were not really creative to begin with! First two more clinical the later, more just a support striker.

Benzema, who cares. He is overrated I reckon. Rather get a youngster like Aguero from Atletico, or perhaps even bring over Zlatan from Inter (was being talked about).

Agree completely on Milan, want to see Dinho back at his best, but unfortunately, I think Kaka needs to be sold off, so they can centre the team around Ronnie. Neither are performing at their best with the other one around. Only one go to man per team ever works. Gerrard and Lampard would be a good example, was better with Barry in there.

Also agreed on thinking Barca would struggle without Ronnie and Deco, but I guess when you still have Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Hleb and the steel of Keita and Toure in midfield, with Henry, Eto'o and Bojan able to play upfront, and guys like Puyol, Abidal and Alvez at the back, you still have a LETHAL team! Pep has done wonders with the structure though, an element Rijkaard just had no idea about! He simply relied on Ronnie magic.

 

[kirank]

I'm a big football fan, West Ham is my team and they ain't doing too well let alone getting anywhere near the Champions league

Some cracking ties coming up and i enjoy watching and following it though, don't mind who wins as long as its not Chelski , a team i detest, but coming from the East End of London i was bought up to dislike them as most East End kids were and still are, Chelsea are West End for anyone wondering why.

So its Juve, Juve, Juve for me in the up coming games

for a fellow hating Chelski... you do realize you have two of Chelski's infamous legends? Clarkey & Zola...

Arsenal & Roma match is going to be quite tight no clue which Arsenal team will show up also which Roma team will show up!!
Bayern will get through, Liverpool & Real Madrid thats going to a drab Midfield & Defensive showing... i would never rate Real Madrid out of it... Ramos isn't called a cup man for nothing!!!
Chelsea Juve now that will be an interesting draw seeing Chelsea's current form & Juve form!! But guess Chelsea will nick it!! Too much depth in the squad!!

 

[kirank]

ha ha, true about Mourinho. Though Shevchenko, Crespo and Gudjohnsen were not really creative to begin with! First two more clinical the later, more just a support striker.

Benzema, who cares. He is overrated I reckon. Rather get a youngster like Aguero from Atletico, or perhaps even bring over Zlatan from Inter (was being talked about).

Agree completely on Milan, want to see Dinho back at his best, but unfortunately, I think Kaka needs to be sold off, so they can centre the team around Ronnie. Neither are performing at their best with the other one around. Only one go to man per team ever works. Gerrard and Lampard would be a good example, was better with Barry in there.

Also agreed on thinking Barca would struggle without Ronnie and Deco, but I guess when you still have Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Hleb and the steel of Keita and Toure in midfield, with Henry, Eto'o and Bojan able to play upfront, and guys like Puyol, Abidal and Alvez at the back, you still have a LETHAL team! Pep has done wonders with the structure though, an element Rijkaard just had no idea about! He simply relied on Ronnie magic.

u forgot about Busquets (sorry about the spelling) me too thought after loosing Rijkaard, Deco, Roonie they might struggle & first match did show they were struggling guess they proved everyone wrong!! Nice attacking free flowing sexy football displays along with grinding out ugly wins too!

 

[mazzatelli1000]

He simply relied on Ronnie magic.

Hahaha
And what a great decision that was!!!

Was in Barcelona 2 years ago, and got to see Ronnie at the Camp Nou. Pure bliss!!!!

I agree about Kaka and Ronnie... Brazil in the recent World Cup looked terrible when they played alongside each other. But I think they wouln't shaft Kaka as he has plenty more years left in him and AC Milan ain't the most youthful side in the world. Inzaghi is still lurking around up there hahaha

Pager:
The Great Hammers - I hate Chelsea as well because these guys have all of a sudden just become a strong team while others had to build for years and years. Plus the Blues and Barca had some cracking matches against each other.

MRC you should remember this also - Ronnies lil a$$ tweak before an outside of the foot shot leaving Peter Cech standing there motionless

 

[Pager]

for a fellow hating Chelski... you do realize you have two of Chelski's infamous legends? Clarkey & Zola...

Yes and believe me i wasn't too impressed, but credit were its due, both have shown the utmost professionalism even if in there hearts are that horrible blue

Chelski for there part have had a stream of ex West Ham through here ranks in recent years, Lampard, Joe Cole are the best known but John Terry was a Hammers junior as well and a keen fan, maybe he still is as they say once a hammer always a hammer.

 

[MRC & Co]

along with grinding out ugly wins too!

Yeh, this was the part that got them the last two seasons.

They just couldn't grind out a win. No defence and not able to concentrate for a full 90 minutes.

Thought with Pique and Marquez being bought in more often, they would do worse, considering they had Milito and Zambrotta in there last year who are very good. Goes to show, getting the structure right, is much more important than having the 'best' players at their position in defence.

 

[Bushman]

I'm a big football fan, West Ham is my team and they ain't doing too well let alone getting anywhere near the Champions league

Some cracking ties coming up and i enjoy watching and following it though, don't mind who wins as long as its not Chelski , a team i detest, but coming from the East End of London i was bought up to dislike them as most East End kids were and still are, Chelsea are West End for anyone wondering why.

So its Juve, Juve, Juve for me in the up coming games

Yep I am a long suffering Hammers fan too. Been a depressing season so far - you can have all the grit and organisation in the world but if you cannot score then you will never win a game. Ashton or the Jan transfer market is the key. Carlton Cole is not going to keep us up.

Also this gawd awful mess with the Blades still hangs over our heads. I still cannot see why they would whinge - all they had to do was win their final game of the season and they would've stayed up.

But lets hope we get through this one and, in Gianfranco (ex Chelsea stlawart ironically), there is a reason to get excited. Champions League for 2009/2010 (I wish).

Chelsea also pinch the best Hammers kids with Abramovich's oil money - Joe Cole, Lampard, Glenn Johnson come to mind. Incidentally I just read that Abramovich is asking the Russian state bank for debts to refinance his empire so maybe Chelsea wont land Kaka after all.

 

[kirank]

ha ha, true about Mourinho. Though Shevchenko, Crespo and Gudjohnsen were not really creative to begin with! First two more clinical the later, more just a support striker.

Benzema, who cares. He is overrated I reckon. Rather get a youngster like Aguero from Atletico, or perhaps even bring over Zlatan from Inter (was being talked about).

Agree completely on Milan, want to see Dinho back at his best, but unfortunately, I think Kaka needs to be sold off, so they can centre the team around Ronnie. Neither are performing at their best with the other one around. Only one go to man per team ever works. Gerrard and Lampard would be a good example, was better with Barry in there.

Also agreed on thinking Barca would struggle without Ronnie and Deco, but I guess when you still have Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Hleb and the steel of Keita and Toure in midfield, with Henry, Eto'o and Bojan able to play upfront, and guys like Puyol, Abidal and Alvez at the back, you still have a LETHAL team! Pep has done wonders with the structure though, an element Rijkaard just had no idea about! He simply relied on Ronnie magic.

u forgot about Busquets (sorry about the spelling) me too thought after loosing Rijkaard, Deco, Roonie they might struggle & first match did show they were struggling guess they proved everyone wrong!! Nice attacking free flowing sexy football displays along with grinding out ugly wins too!

 

[MRC & Co]

I agree about Kaka and Ronnie... Brazil in the recent World Cup looked terrible when they played alongside each other. But I think they wouln't shaft Kaka as he has plenty more years left in him and AC Milan ain't the most youthful side in the world. Inzaghi is still lurking around up there hahaha

MRC you should remember this also - Ronnies lil a$$ tweak before an outside of the foot shot leaving Peter Cech standing there motionless

Got to watch him? Lucky you!!! I saw Camp Nou, but didn't get to watch a match

They may sell Kaka and bank the $$$. They could do with them, and restructure their team. Way too many oldies as you say! Heck even Maldini is still trying to play!

This goal: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ijR1WX2bLIo The number of brilliant goals he has scored are nearly countless! My favourite is one he scored for PSG.

 

[Pager]

Yep I am a long suffering Hammers fan too. Been a depressing season so far - you can have all the grit and organisation in the world but if you cannot score then you will never win a game. Ashton or the Jan transfer market is the key. Carlton Cole is not going to keep us up.

Also this gawd awful mess with the Blades still hangs over our heads. I still cannot see why they would whinge - all they had to do was win their final game of the season and they would've stayed up.

But lets hope we get through this one and, in Gianfranco (ex Chelsea stlawart ironically), there is a reason to get excited. Champions League for 2009/2010 (I wish).

Chelsea also pinch the best Hammers kids with Abramovich's oil money - Joe Cole, Lampard, Glenn Johnson come to mind. Incidentally I just read that Abramovich is asking the Russian state bank for debts to refinance his empire so maybe Chelsea wont land Kaka after all.

Lets not forget Kieron dyer, out for god knows how long, West Ham have had one injury jinx after the other, hopefully the second half of the season will be better, as for Chelski, well every dog has its day and when the Russian money runs dry then IMO we will see Chelski go the same way as Leeds United down the road to footballing wilderness for many years.

 

[kirank]

Yes and believe me i wasn't too impressed, but credit were its due, both have shown the utmost professionalism even if in there hearts are that horrible blue

Chelski for there part have had a stream of ex West Ham through here ranks in recent years, Lampard, Joe Cole are the best known but John Terry was a Hammers junior as well and a keen fan, maybe he still is as they say once a hammer always a hammer.

true regarding lamps & joey cole... didnt know about Terry... thought he was through & through a blue!! Regarding Roman pinching off West Ham kids... i think lampard & joey came before Roman's time... it was ironically uncle Tinkerman Raineri who brought them in... dont know about glen johnson!!

 

[mazzatelli1000]

Yep I am a long suffering Hammers fan too. Been a depressing season so far - you can have all the grit and organisation in the world but if you cannot score then you will never win a game. Ashton or the Jan transfer market is the key.

You guys keep losing good players - Tevez in recent times
Benayoun also gone

Got to watch him? Lucky you!!! I saw Camp Nou, but didn't get to watch a match

This goal: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ijR1WX2bLIo The number of brilliant goals he has scored are nearly countless! My favourite is one he scored for PSG.

What!! You should have killed to goto a match. That was all me and my mates could think of for days!! (Going to the match, not the killing )

I also like the one he scored against AC in the UCL

Please God let me come back as a pro soccer player in my next life hahaha

 

[MRC & Co]

Yes, I should have! Unfortunately, back then, girls were the #1 priority! Not sure if that's good or bad!

I'll be over there to watch some matches for sure one of these days, no doubt about that! WC 2010 is the def plan and I have tickets to this years UEFA Cup final if Valencia or Milan make it. Sitting with their fans.

Check out finalfutures.com

You can get some great final tickets for cheap as dirt if you get the pick right. Have to get in early though, too late for this season now

Yeh, being a pro soccer player would be a dream come true, though being a pro trader is just as good to me, don't have to do all that running!

 

[mazzatelli1000]

So Barca have cruised through to the next round --- yeah baby!!
Real Madrid have crashed out --bahhahahahahaaha

The 4 English Teams all look dangerous except Arsenal
It must be annoying to be a Gunners fan to see all those chances and no conversions

I must say I agree with most football analysts about how the continental players are getting used to the pace and power in England - making the Italians and Spanish clubs look slow and lethargic in comparison

I must say Man U look scary, but history is against them as it has been a while (I think) that a team has had back to back Euro championships

Liverpool are the scary buggers!!

How was other people's take on the matches and upcoming draw??

 

[MRC & Co]

7 out of 8, not too bad tips, wish I bet on them all!

Upcoming draw will be great! I wish all the English teams could be split up so they wouldn't play eachother, but that way, we may get an all English semis.

Villareal and Porto are definately the easy draws.

Villareal has a decent team though, they didn't play them all in the groups against United. Marcos Senna is probably the best defensive mid and engine room player out there.

Munich, damn, they have some very good attacking threats. Ribery is brilliant and the power of Klose and Toni is scary.

Barca, what can I see, my (our) team! Best team on the planet still! My favourites to win it still.

United, hope we don't draw them, the biggest threat.

Liverpool always gets the job done, so solid, so strong and Torres and Gerrard create their firepower.

Arsenal, definately no as great to watch anymore and lacking bigtime.

Chelsea, with Hiddink, they will be tough and could go all the way this year.