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Champions League Draw

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I thought Chelsea looked very good, closed down the middle of the park so Liverpool were only attacking down the wings, this effectively closed out Steven Gerard who is so influential for Liverpool, he was hardly in the match, very good tactics from Chelsea and it looks like it will be them against Barcelona in the semis.

My moneys on an all London final as i think Arsenal may well come through the other side of the draw with united slipping up and now requiring a win against Porto away, not an easy task for Red nose
 
Well law of averages theory proved correct. Essien played a blinder and closed down Stevie plus our right sided flank out of it. In hindsight the early goal probably worked against us, 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, can't see it, might as well try and chat up Angelina Jolie, I'd have more luck. Disappointing but if we can get 3 points against Blackburn then Arsenal then all good.

Barca looked impressive, Messi is fantastic, Henry can still play a bit too. Barca v Man Ure final with god forbid hopefully Barca prevailing. Please forgive me Shanks.
 
Dreaming if you think Utd will make the final....
Porto haven't lost at home to an English team ever, let alone a team that has some serious issues at the moment.
Then assuming they pull something out of the bag and get up, they've mostl likely got to beat a resurgent Arsenal aswell. Can't see that happening on current form either.

Barca are also no shoe in to beat chelsea on the other side of the draw.
I'd actually favour Chelsea over them, to be perfectly honest. Essien is a monster in the middle of the park. I wish we had him at Arsenal.

My best pick is Arsenal v Chelsea, with it going to penalties.
 
I know how hard it is to go to Porto or any Portuguese team and get a result, hell we were knocked out by Benfica 3 years ago but I think Utd will do regardless of what history says. I know Arsenal are in a rich vein of form and if we can't win it, I'd like to see them take home the trophy. Adebayor's goal against Villarreal is best I've seen in a long time. Will they miss Gallas? I reckon so. I do think you will beat Villarreal and meet Man U in the semis and as much as it it pains me to say it, I think United will beat you. Arshavin is cup tied eh, I think his signing has rejunvanated you this season.

Everything said the reason you will not get to the final imo is that you don't have any players experienced in winning championships and trophies. If the 'invincibles' couldn't win it I don't think the current team can. Mind Liverpool did win the CL in 2005 with probably one of the weakest teams ever. Wish you the best of luck though
 
Agreed on the Essien remarks, IMVHO, he and Senna could lay claim to the greatest players on the planet. Both are remarkable at what they do and really drive the team.

Is it any coincidence Chelsea struggled while Essien was away?
 
 
Arsenal will take care of villareal no worries at home. I don't buy into the "porto hasn't lost to an english team" crap. Same was said about AC last year when they had never lost at home to an english team, didn't seem to bother the gunners.
 

lol you can't even joke about how important he is to chelsea!

lol, exactly.

Wouldn't write United off yet. They have prooven they can get the job done when it counts. Still see that as a 50/50 type of match.
 
My only concern for Barca, is that in the past against Chelsea and Liverpool, these guys just pile the defence and Barca have a difficult time threading balls through. Not only that, but the pace of their game was slowed down dramatically.

I must admit though, that Barca are getting used to this tactic and their game play is faster. Too bad Marquez is out for a stupid yellow card

The Reds, well it will require another miracle like in Istanbul for them to get over the hurdle and then face Barca!!! I do hope they make a fist of it, but as you guys have already mentioned Essien looks so powerful in midfield - they are a worry. Not to mention Drogba's form looks like he is certain to cause headaches. The defenders who I have seen give him a hard time is Ferdinand and Vidic.

Man U, I have a soft spot for this team as a few of my favourite players are from this club e.g. Cantona and Giggs. That tie is gonna be down to the wire.

Arsenal, they look okay but not in a type of form that will suggest European glory, but that could come out later.

Ties are next week so plenty of time to banter
 
Chelsea vs. Barca
Man U vs. Arsenal

Tips:
Barca by one goal

Man U and Arsenal - to be decided by penalties to determine the winner of the 2 legs

Man U look shaky, and Arsenal lol actually scoring some goals now
 
Yeh, these are some juicy semi-finals!

I agree with you Mazza, Barca have sped up their play which should help in breaking down teams such as Chelsea, but with the quality Chelsea have, Hiddink (the miracle man) at the healm and their strength advantage, they will still give Barca a lot of problems.

Arsenal is definately the team form, and United struggling, but somehow United always find a way to get the job done.

I wouldn't like to pick a winner of any of these matches, I don't see an edge for any of the 4 teams in these 2 match-ups.

But I will go with Barca due to superior technical ability and United to get the jobs done, but wouldn't be surprised if I was wrong on both accounts!

Dream final for me is Barca V Arsenal!
 
Gotta love the form of the teams in the Semi's too
Arsenal smashing 4 goals against the Reds (admittedly let in 4 as well LOL)

Barca still on top

Chelski in the FA Cup fina

Hopefully Man U pick up some form as well

All looks good for some hectic battles

Til next folks!!
Out
 
Just had to drop in to say I watched the El Classico and agree with Luis Enrique it was the closest thing to a "football 0rgasm".
LOL

Bring on those crappy blues
 

Sorry to gloat but that prediction from before the QF 1st legs was pretty good. Still looks like Man U or Barca to me. Actually I think Barca will win the final if they can get there because neither Man U or Arsenal have the defense to properly close them down. Real's defence being a recent test case. The big if of course is Chelski. They get Cole back so they can dispense with the unreliable Alex. Looks a real 50-50. C'mon the Gunners and please may they find someone other than Silvestre (Senderos all over again) to play in defence
 
Gunners paying 3.50 on TAB and 3.65 on sportsbet.com.au to qualify.
I'm probably going to make a visit to one of these fine establishments....
great value i reckon!
 
Chelsea show they're not champions at all. No possession. No finishing. No class what so ever... Got everything they deserved. No more. No Less.

They played against 10 men for 20 mins and didn't capitalise on a number of scoring opportunities. A couple of penalty shouts worth something, but on the other hand Henry could have had one last week and Barca had a player sent off for a dive/fall.

Drogba could have won this tie himself with clear cut opportunities in BOTH legs.



Apparently the referee conspired against them, UEFA conspired against there being two english teams in the final... Give me strength. They just weren't good enough to finish it. Great goal by Essien by the way.

 
doctorj said:
Chelsea show they're not champions at all. No possession. No finishing. No class what so ever... Got everything they deserved. No more. No Less.
Click to expand...

Doc, I agree - not gracious in defeat.
Thats funny about the conspiracy theories - will jump on ESPN to check that out


Even though I am a Barca fan, that was very very lucky LOL

I have a feeling Drogba might get more punishment for his little outburst there. Plus I am at a loss how such a built, atheletic young man can always be lying around on the field after a little shove.

I think also a tactical error by Hiddink, taking off Drogba so early.

Man U vs. Barca
My heart says Barca, but I think Man U can very well take it
Dani Alves (whose crosses today were wayward to say the least) and Abidal goonnneee!!!
 
Wow what a game. It was good to see the raw emotion from the players on both sides.

I agree taking Drogba off was a mistake, If he was there or Anelka was a decent striker they should have finished it off in the way Ronaldo & Co did yesterday.

The Pique handball was def a penalty and Drogba had a good shout in the first half (similar to Henry's in the first leg) but the sending off was harsh and in truth after 3 hours between the two sides it was clear that Chelsea thought Barca was the better team. Well done to Iniesta for a finish like that after running around for 93 minutes.

As far as antics go Ballack should have got a red for man handling the ref and Drogba should face sanctions as well.

I would have preferred the Gunners but a final between the best two teams in the world should be good. Three weeks out and Barca are already without Abidal, Marquez & Alvez.
 
All I can say, Karma is a bi*ch Chelskea!

The referee robbed Barca at Camp Nou against a Chelsea that didn't even turn up to play football. It was more like a defence V attack training match.

A 1-1 draw that looses them the tie with poor refereeing was the perfect result. Shows up all that stinks about Chelsea and Hiddink!

Mourinho turned up with a technically gifted Chelsea and matched it with Barca and got legitimate wins and I hate Mourinho, enough said.
 
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