View Full Version : 2007/08 UEFA CL Draw
zlatanov
29-08-2007, 07:43
The draw for the group stage is tomorrow, August 30th and no one has created a thread about this?! ... How dare you call yourselves fans of the reigning European Champs? :rolleyes:
:grinser:
Anyways, with the exception of the AEK-Sevilla game postponed for Monday, Sept. 3rd, all other CL qualifiers are scheduled for today, August 29th.
And yes, even without knowing the result from the AEK-Sevilla game, it would be possible to go ahead with the draw once the rest of the teams and their pot placement are known.
So far, the teams that have qualified, placed in their respective pots, are:
Pot1: Milan, Barca, Liverpool, Inter, Real M, Chelski, ManU
Pot2: Lyon, Porto, PSV, Roma
Other teams that have qualified already but have yet to know their pot placement are:
Schalke, Stuttgart, CSKA Moskva, Marseille, Olympiacos, Sporting, Glasgow Rangers, and Lazio
Links for the CL Draw (ceremony starts at 18.00pm CET or 12.00pm EST):
http://myp2p.eu/Matches/Match2.htm
.
The draw for the group stage is tomorrow, August 30th and no one has created a thread about this?! ... How dare you call yourselves fans of the reigning European Champs? :rolleyes:
:grinser:
Anyways, with the exception of the AEK-Sevilla game postponed for Monday, Sept. 3rd, all other CL qualifiers are scheduled for today, August 29th.
And yes, even without knowing the result from the AEK-Sevilla game, it would be possible to go ahead with the draw once the rest of the teams and their pot placement are known.
So far, the teams that have qualified, placed in their respective pots, are:
Pot1: Milan, Barca, Liverpool, Inter, Real M, Chelski, ManU
Pot2: Lyon, Porto, PSV, Roma
Other teams that have qualified already but have yet to know their pot placement are:
Schalke, Stuttgart, CSKA Moskva, Marseille, Olympiacos, Sporting, Glasgow Rangers, and Lazio
This is my job :notlist:
Now you ruined a perfect thread. My thread would have been all with colors, banners, club infos.
Kidding :grinser:
We can also count Arsenal in pot1, although Zlat didn't want to play with fire so he didn't rush to put them there before they officially get to CL groups.
But since they won the first leg away to Sparta 2:0, then i'd say they are 99,99% in CL.
In pot2, apart from Lyon, Porto, PSV and Roma we can also, with 99,99% , add Valencia, who won the first leg 3:0 vs Elfsborg.
The others who can find themselves in pot2 are Sevilla, but of course they must eliminate AEK. They are very close to their goal after winning 2:0 in leg 1.
Two more spots are still open (even if we count Valencia and Sevilla as already qualified) and these teams, in this order are fighting for the next two spots :
Benfica
Ajax
Werder
Celtic
Schalke04
Stuttgart
In pot3 so far we have sure 4 teams : CSKA moscow, Sporting, Lazio and Marselle. No matter what happens, these 4 teams will be in pot3.
*ACTually, only Lazio and Marselle will be in pot3 no matter what happens. But we can say the same about CSKA and Sporting because in order these teams not to find themselves in pot3 all of Valencia,Sevilla,Benfica,Ajax,Werder and Celtic will have to be eliminated in the qualifications, which is impossible, imo
Zlat, how it is possible to make the draw without Sevilla-AEK ?
They will probably write "sevilla-aek" on a peace on paper :grinser:
And then the winner will take that spot, hehe.
They will probably write "sevilla-aek" on a peace on paper :grinser:
And then the winner will take that spot, hehe.
Nope, it's impossible.
If Sevilla qualifies then they will be in pot2 and if AEK qualifies then they will be in pot3 or pot4
zlatanov
29-08-2007, 08:18
Zlat, how it is possible to make the draw without Sevilla-AEK ?
well, what mrki said only we'll need 3 such balls with 2 teams in each, assuming that Sevilla would go to pot 2 and AEK pot 4, something that will be known for sure once all the other games are played, the winners are known, and then we can compare their coefficients with those of Sevilla and AEK.
Let's say Sevilla's coeff. is high enough for pot 2, which it is, and AEK's - for pot 4.
Now let's assume - just an example - that the team with highest coeff in pot 3 is Benfica. This means that Benfica would move to pot 2 if Sevilla goes out, with AEK joining pot 4.
At the same time, let's assume - again just an example - that Stuttgart is the team with the highest coeff in pot 4 i.e. they would move to pot 3 if Sevilla goes out and AEK moves to pot 4.
Then all we need to do is have 1 ball in pot 2 like this - Sevilla/Benfica, 1 ball in pot 3 - Benfica/Stuttgart, and one ball in pot 4 - Stuttgart/AEK
Capito? :grinser:
P.S. If AEK's coeff is high enough for pot 3, then we'd need 2 balls, and not 3, with 2 teams in each one.
The serial spammer strikes again :rollani:
:delol:
well, what mrki said only we'll need 3 such balls with 2 teams in each, assuming that Sevilla would go to pot 2 and AEK pot 4, something that will be known for sure once all the other games are played, the winners are known, and then we can compare their coefficients with those of Sevilla and AEK.
Let's say Sevilla's coeff. is high enough for pot 2, which it is, and AEK's - for pot 4.
Now let's assume - just an example - that the team with highest coeff in pot 3 is Benfica. This means that Benfica would move to pot 2 if Sevilla goes out, with AEK joining pot 4.
At the same time, let's assume - again just an example - that Stuttgart is the team with the highest coeff in pot 4 i.e. they would move to pot 3 if Sevilla goes out and AEK moves to pot 4.
Then all we need to do is have 1 ball in pot 2 like this - Sevilla/Benfica, 1 ball in pot 3 - Benfica/Stuttgart, and one ball in pot 4 - Stuttgart/AEK
Capito? :grinser:
P.S. If AEK's coeff is high enough for pot 3, then we'd need 2 balls, and not 3, with 2 teams in each one.
Perfect, thanx
Although we have another problem here.
In groups A-D we can have only 2 Spanish teams while the other 2 will have to be in groups E-H.
Also one of AEK/Olympiacos will have to be in groups A-D while the other in groups E-H
Now we can have a situation when (if the ball says Sevilla/Ajax) Sevilla can not play in groups A-D while Ajax can not play in groups E-H and it will be impossible to make that draw.
I don't know if you follow me, but this is a big possibility and because of this the draw (which is usually 30%-50% orchestred) may easily be 99% orchestred.
They'll find a way, i'm sure. But it will be really confusing for those who aren't absolutely familiar with how these things go :)
zlatanov
29-08-2007, 08:59
Perfect, thanx
Although we have another problem here.
In groups A-D we can have only 2 Spanish teams while the other 2 will have to be in groups E-H.
Also one of AEK/Olympiacos will have to be in groups A-D while the other in groups E-H
Now we can have a situation when (if the ball says Sevilla/Ajax) Sevilla can not play in groups A-D while Ajax can not play in groups E-H and it will be impossible to make that draw.
I don't know if you follow me, but this is a big possibility and because of this the draw (which is usually 30%-50% orchestred) may easily be 99% orchestred.
They'll find a way, i'm sure. But it will be really confusing for those who aren't absolutely familiar with how these things go :)
I see your point and you are right, it does make things a little trickier but for this to be taken care of, all the other teams will have to be known (except Sevilla/AEK) i.e. we'll have to wait for todays qualifiers to finish (or maybe UEFA already knows the results ;) :D) and only then a full solution can be found.
btw, what was the reason they put 2 teams from say Spain into groups A-D , while the other 2 into E-H ... TV coverage, I guess?
btw, what was the reason they put 2 teams from say Spain into groups A-D , while the other 2 into E-H ... TV coverage, I guess?
Yes, two of them must play on Tuesday while the other two on Wednesday and it's because of TV coverage.
And it's not only with Spanish clubs but it's with all the other clubs from the same country.
If there are 2 teams from a certain country then one must play on Tue while the other on Wed
When there are 3 teams from one country then 2 are in the same day while the third one in the other day.
Edit: You'll probably notice that by yourself tomorrow with the English teams. All of them will be in pot1.
Now, lets say they take Liverpool first (they will go to group A automatically) , then they take Milan (group B) then Barcelona (groupC) and then they take Inter.....
Inter will logically have to be in group D but because it will leave 3 english teams to play in groups E-H (on the same day) then Inter will automatically be transferred to group E and group D leader will be the next English team drawn.
Think the logical thing would be to classify both Seville & AEK as second seeds as in such tragic circumstances exceptions should and I think will be made.
By popular demand, here it is again :grinser: :
If Sevilla qualifies this is how the pots will look:
Pot1 : Milan, Barcelona, Liverpool, Inter, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea
Pot2: Valencia, Lyon, Sevilla, Porto, PSV, Roma, Benfika, Werder Bremen
Pot3: Celtic, Schalke04, Stuttgart, Steaua, CSKA Moscow, Sporting, Lazio, Marselle,
Pot4: Glasgow Rangers, Shakhtar Donieck, Besiktas, Olympiacos, Dynamo Kyiv, Fenerbahce, Slavia Prague, Rosenborg
If AEK qualifies :
Pot1 : Milan, Barcelona, Liverpool, Inter, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea
Pot2: Valencia, Lyon, Porto, PSV, Roma, Benfika, Werder Bremen, Celtic
Pot3: Schalke 04, Stuttgart, Steaua, CSKA Moscow, Sporting, Lazio, Marselle, Glasgow Rangers
Pot4: Shakhtar Donieck, Besiktas, Olympiacos, Dynamo Kyiv, Fenerbahce, AEK, Slavia Prague, Rosenborg
Note: Milan can not be in the same group with another team from pot1.
Milan will get one team from pot2, one from pot3 and one from pot4 in their group but they can not get another Italian team. So Lazio and Roma can not be in the same group with Milan
I believe Sevilla will qualify so the first option will be the real one. If that’s the case then this is how, imo, the toughest and the easiest group for Milan would look :
Milan
Valencia
Schalke/Stuttgart
Shakhtar Donieck
Milan
PSV/Benfica
Steaua
Rosenborg
slicknick
29-08-2007, 18:10
I'm wishing for
AC Milan
Werder Bremen
Steaua
Rosenborg...
Unless Milan gets Valencia or Sevilla, you'll 100% win the first place in your group. Even if you get one of the 2 Spanish teams you'll still be favorites for the first place, but they may make your life harder.
You'll certainly qualify, no matter who you get, but since you're my rivals in serie A i'd like you to have a harder job in CL and i wish you get Valencia and one of the Germans from pot 3 :D
zlatanov
29-08-2007, 22:24
Links for the CL Draw (ceremony starts at 18.00pm CET or 12.00pm EST):
http://myp2p.eu/Matches/Match2.htm
Unless Milan gets Valencia or Sevilla, you'll 100% win the first place in your group. Even if you get one of the 2 Spanish teams you'll still be favorites for the first place, but they may make your life harder.
You'll certainly qualify, no matter who you get, but since you're my rivals in serie A i'd like you to have a harder job in CL and i wish you get Valencia and one of the Germans from pot 3 :D
i am praying for sevilla in our group. The stronger the teams in the group, the better. AC Milan always struggle against those smaller teams. And sevilla play nice footie so its going to be one heck of a game.
Think the logical thing would be to classify both Seville & AEK as second seeds as in such tragic circumstances exceptions should and I think will be made.
As predicted Seville & AEK both 2nd seeds. Taken from http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=576667.html
07/08 UEFA Champions League
Group stage draw - 18.00CET, Thursday
POT 1
Team Pairing
AC Milan (ITA, holders) A
FC Barcelona (ESP) B
Liverpool FC (ENG) C
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) A
Arsenal FC (ENG) D
Real Madrid CF (ESP) B
Chelsea FC (ENG) D
Manchester United FC (ENG) C
POT 2
Team Pairing
Valencia CF (ESP) E
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) F
FC Porto (POR)
Sevilla FC (ESP) / AEK Athens FC (GRE) E/M
PSV Eindhoven (NED)
AS Roma (ITA) G
SL Benfica (POR) H
Werder Bremen (GER) I
POT 3
Team Pairing
Celtic FC (SCO) J
FC Schalke 04 (GER)
VfB Stuttgart (GER) I
FC Steaua Bucureşti (ROU)
PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)
Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR) H
S.S. Lazio (ITA) G
Olympique de Marseille (FRA) F
POT 4
Team Pairing
Rangers FC (SCO) J
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) K
Beşiktaş JK (TUR) L
Olympiacos CFP (GRE) M
FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) K
Fenerbahçe SK (TUR) L
SK Slavia Praha (CZE)
Rosenborg BK (NOR)
Easiest group in my opinion
Milan
PSV
Marseille
Rosenborg
Toughest group
Milan
Valencia
CSKA Moskva
Shakhtar Donetsk
For me it would be Sevilla, Schalke & Fenerbahce as the toughest group to get.
Easiest would be AEK, Steau, & Rosenborg
sorenpind
30-08-2007, 04:57
I wouldn't mind facing Benfica. I saw them against FC Copenhagen yesterday and they didn't impress. Copenhagen managed to produce 5 really big opportunities in the 1st half but failed to benefit from them.
In my humble opinion, several clubs from #3 are much better than Benfica.
I hope we end up with a tough group because its going to make us pull our socks up.
Yep this is it, that's our group
I'm wishing for
AC Milan
Werder Bremen
Steaua
Rosenborg...
Whoever, whoever...
We are aiming for a title again, we shouldnt worry who will we play!
others should be praying not to get Milan.
The easiest group it would be with Benfica, Steaua, Rangers
but i think we will be drawn with
Porto, Sttutgart/Schalke, Besiktas/Fener
Milan, Porto, Schalke, Glasqow Rangers a prediction
But i think the easiest is Slavia Prague and Olympiakos
Unless Milan gets Valencia or Sevilla, you'll 100% win the first place in your group. Even if you get one of the 2 Spanish teams you'll still be favorites for the first place, but they may make your life harder.
You'll certainly qualify, no matter who you get, but since you're my rivals in serie A i'd like you to have a harder job in CL and i wish you get Valencia and one of the Germans from pot 3 :D
Sorry Tony but even the toughest is not enough fpr Milan . We will pass first....
Slavia Prague eliminated Ajax in the 3rd Q round so i'm not sure that it will be so easy to play against them
Better to play against Steaua
2 easy wins... sure thing
I wouldn't mind facing Benfica. I saw them against FC Copenhagen yesterday and they didn't impress. Copenhagen managed to produce 5 really big opportunities in the 1st half but failed to benefit from them.
In my humble opinion, several clubs from #3 are much better than Benfica.
Yes, Benfica are far from the team they were in the last 2 years. They lost their best player Simao and also Anderson (the CD, not the one from ManU) and Karagounis are not with them anymore. On the other hand they brought far too many new players and it will take them some time before they start producing good results.
But they are still a technical team and Milan is usually struggling against the technical teams that hold possession.
Nevertheless, they are much better choice than most of the teams in pot2
Lyon did lose Tiago, Abidal, Alou Diarra, Cacapa and Malouda, they lost Cris due injury and they certainly won't be the power from last year but they are still the best French team and they've added the Lille duo (Keita-Bodmer) that made problems to Milan last year.
Juninho, Kallstrom, Baros, Fred, Benzema, Reveillere, Govou, Grosso, Ben Arfa etc... Lyon is still a very good team and imo, stronger than Benfica
Valencia and Sevilla are well known.
Valencia are strong in every position and they have CL experience which imo makes them the strongest team in pot 2 :
Canizares or Hildebrand at the goal, Albiol, Marchena, Alexis, Helguera, Miguel in defense, Albelda, Vicente, Baraja, Joaquin, Silva, Angulo in midfield, David Villa, Morientes, Zigic in attack ..... very strong team.
It will look so natural if they find themselves in the group with their old friends Inter...and beat them twice :haha:
You know Sevilla and you'll meet them tomorrow, i won't talk about them.
Porto ..... they look a bit weaker than last year. They lost Anderson (Manchester United), Pepe (Real Madrid), Vitor Baia retired and their regular from the last years, Ricardo Costa went to Werder.
They brought a bunch of young and talented players, some of whom will certianly make their name known in the following years, but we'll have to wait and see how will it work for them this year.
Helder Postiga, Ricardo Quaresma and Lucho Gonzalez are the stars of this team.
Roma can not be in the same group with Milan
PSV Eindhoven
They did make a lot of problems to Milan in the past but i doubt this team of PSV can be a problem this year.
Cocu left the team and they still have some famous football players (Kone, Farfan, Perez, Simons, Kromkamp) but i don't see them as a threat to Milan
Werder Bremen
Without Frings and Borowski they struggle a lot. I don't know when they will be back but i think they are expected to be ready from October.
It's still a respectable team, with Diego, Naldo, Carlos Alberto, Pasanen, Baumann, Owomoyela, Rosenberg, Mertesacker etc.
Our group
Milan,
PSV,
Celtic,
Fenerbache
That would be a funny coincedence!
The draw will be live on Eurosport
hany.Egypt
30-08-2007, 11:01
Milan
Valencia CF FC
Schalke 04 \ VfB Stuttgart
Fenerbahçe SK
I would love to c Milan in a group like this tough and strong
Lol, Rinat Dasaev. I haven't seen him for 15 years.
He'll give the price to the best GK in CL
Cech, Dida, Reina are the candidates and the best GK of the season in CL is .....................................
Cech !!!!!!!!!!!
I wonder how much garbage they'll witter on about before they actually start the draw. Hopefully it'll be less than 30 mins this year.
hany.Egypt
30-08-2007, 11:10
yes why not he is an excellent goal keeper may only second after Buffon
you should have said Reina!!!!!!!!!!!!! in stead
How on earth did Cech win that? Especially after missing alot of last season due to that injury against Reading and that obviously both Dida & Reina got to the final ... and also Reina's heroics in the penalty shoot out against Chelsea. What a rubbish choice.
How on earth did Cech win that? Especially after missing alot of last season due to that injury against Reading and that obviously both Dida & Reina got to the final ... and also Reina's heroics in the penalty shoot out against Chelsea. What a rubbish choice.
The coaches gave it to him.
Every coach from the best 16 teams from last year voted and Cech got most of the votes. Ancelotti, Benitez and Mourinho weren't allowed to vote for their own players. The commentator here was joking that Mourinho found the way to vote for Cech :haha:
But i agree that Reina deserved it more
Milan is the first team drawn and they will lead group D
Arsenal leads group H
Manchester United leads group F
Barcelona leads group E
Inter will have to be in group G ...just watch and you'll see ;)
Real in group C
Inter in group G (like i told you :) )
Liverpool in group A
Chelsea in group B
Now the interesting part follows :)
The best defender of the year in CL
Candidates are Vidic, Carragher, Terry, Carvalho, Maldini, Nesta
and the winner is ................. Maldini !!!!!!!!!!!
Yeaaaah!! Paolo, Defender Of the Year!
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:26
Yeaaaah!! Paolo, Defender Of the Year!
rubish choice .... should have been Caragher, or Agger, or Rijse :mad:
PSV Eindhoven in group G with Inter
rubish choice .... should have been Caragher :mad:
Haha lol
Let's see other's opinions and their reasons. :D
Valencia in group B with Chelsea ...wow
Milan can not get Sevilla now
Werder with Real in group C
Sevilla is in group H with Arsenal
Lyon are with Barcelona in E
Roma with Manchester again, group F
Porto with Liverpool in A
Like i said previously, Benfica was the easiest opponent for Milan from pot2 , and you got them.
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:34
good luck Roma :D
Benfica's not a bad draw for us ... a nice match for Rui Costa if he's still there :proud:
Best Midfielder : I hope Pirlo (if kaka is counted as forward)
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:35
Like i said previously, Benfica was the easiest opponent for Milan from pot2 , and you got them.
maybe memo slips me here but I think you also said that Milan was having a hard time vs technical teams so Benfica was not necessarily the easiest choice ... so which is it? :)
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:36
scholes in it for a best midfielder?!??!?!?!?!?
how did that happen :rolleyes:
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:36
NOooooo way!! Seedorf!!
yes way - when it mattered most he was a maestro :D
Liverpool v Porto will be a good match ... maybe Liverpool can snatch Quaresma before they play each other :D
Liverpool v Porto will be a good match ... maybe Liverpool can snatch Quaresma before they play each other :D
why should liverpool snatch Quaresma, not Milan? I thought you want Quaresma in Milan. :D
Schalke in group with B with Chelsea and Valencia
Milan can not get Sporting, Lazio and Stuttgart
King tiger
30-08-2007, 11:39
Seedorf will fix the draw in our favor ::D
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:39
Liverpool v Porto will be a good match ... maybe Liverpool can snatch Quaresma before they play each other :D
Porto are not the team of last year, I think but they would still be a tough not to crack as they are technical team and would offer something dif than what Pool is used to playing in the EPL.
Chelski seem to be favourites for Quaresma right now, though
Celtic in group D with Milan and Benfica
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:40
Schalke in group with B with Chelsea and Valencia
Milan can not get Sporting, Lazio and Stuttgart
all I can say is :D:D:D:D:D:D:D
Lazio in group C with Real and Werder :(
Tough group for Lazio
I'm well aware of all that Zlat ... plus Chelsea are desperate for anyone so they can throw £25 million+ at them
Sporting in group F with Manchester and Roma...another tough group
Forza Roma and Sporting :D
cska moscow in group G with Inter and PSV
Forza winters in Russia ...kill Inter :D
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:43
Lazio in group C with Real and Werder :(
Tough group for Lazio
Roma's waint any easier either.
toughest group is Chelski's and Barca's so far, I think
Stuttgart in group E with Barca and Lyon...tough group
Celtic again, what a surprise :rollani: At least the BRN Scozia will have another home match :D
Steaua in group H with Arsenal and Sevilla
Marselle in A with Liverpool and Porto
Dejaaaaaaaaaaan Saviceviiiiiiiiiiiiiiic to give the price to the best attacker (Kaka, of course :) )
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:46
Stuttgart in group E with Barca and Lyon...tough group
Clarence did a great job at making Chelski's, Barca's, ManU's, and Poll's life rather tough :D
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:46
Dejaaaaaaaaaaan Saviceviiiiiiiiiiiiiiic to give the price to the best attacker (Kaka, of course :) )
doubt it C.Ronaldo is the best in the world :rolleyes:
Clarence did a great job at making Chelski's, Barca's, ManU's, and Poll's life rather tough :D
This was a mistake by UEFA, imo. All the groups were drawn by Milan players.
I am sorry for BMW. :D
btw why the players are not allowed to speak english? Seedrof did it in english? I didnt watch it.
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:48
This was a mistake by UEFA, imo. All the groups were drawn by Milan players.
see, no need to splash big on transfers as long as you allocate your funds in other "directions" :grinser:
P.S. maybe if players of other clubs achieved last year what Milan players did, it would have been a dif situation now ;)
btw, it's Dasayev who's drawing the group letters :)
CuoreRossoNero
30-08-2007, 11:48
This was a mistake by UEFA, imo. All the groups were drawn by Milan players.
I guess cause Milan are the defending champs, nothing wrong with that.
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:50
I guess cause Milan are the defending champs, nothing wrong with that.
no, it's just that 2 milan players - Seedorf and Kaka were chosen as the best in their respective positions
liverpool, porto, marseille ... that's a tough group already
Olympiacos in group C with Real, Lazio and Werder
Rangers in group E with Barcelona, Lyon and Stuttgart
CuoreRossoNero
30-08-2007, 11:51
no, it's just that 2 milan players - Seedorf and Kaka were chosen as the best in their respective positions
Oh I see, thanks!
Dynamo Kyiv in group F with ManU, Roma and Sporting
So Maldini won best defender, Seedorf best midfielder & Kaka best forward? As well as being the competition's top scorer. What a nice little collection that is.
Besiktas in group A with Liverpool, Porto and Marselle
Rosenborg in group B
Milan gets Shakhtar
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:54
we'll be getting Shakhtar with Dynamo in the other "flow"
Slavia Prague in group H with Arsenal, Sevilla and Steaua
Fenerbahce in group G with Inter, PSV and CSKA
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 11:56
All the groups for this year's CL:
A)
1. Liverpool
2. Porto
3. Marseille
4. Besiktas
B)
1. Chelski
2. Valencia
3. Schalke
4. Rosenborg
C)
1. Real M
2. Werder
3. Lazio
4. Olympiacos
D)
1. Milan
2. Benfica
3. Celtic
4. Shakhtar
E)
1. Barca
2. Lyon
3. Stuttgart
4. Rangers
F)
1. ManU
2. Roma
3. Sporting
4. Dynamo Kiev
G)
1. Inter
2. PSV
3. CSKA Moskva
4. Fenerbahce
H)
1. Arsenal
2. Sevilla / AEK
3. Steaua
4. Slavia Prague
King tiger
30-08-2007, 12:01
1. Milan
2. Benfica
3. Celtic
4. Shakhtar
not a tough group, but pretty even one .
kaka got the award ?
And at the end , the best player in CL season 2006/07 is .............Petr Cech !!!!!!!!
Naaaaaah, it's Kaka :D
King tiger
30-08-2007, 12:04
ah, why are milan players drawing the teams in the uefa cl draw ?
coz milan is the best club in the universe :D ?
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 12:07
not a tough group, but pretty even one .
kaka got the award ?
well at least Inter fans won't be crying that Milan players got them a tough group :rolleyes:
anyways, congrats to Kaka, Paolo, Clarence and ... Petr Cech, hands down the best GK in last year's CL :D
King tiger
30-08-2007, 12:09
ah inter wil go down either way :diablo: :diablo:
we will be visiting our old pal Rui Costa :bri:
If i'm not wrong Milan players were only drawing the teams, not the groups where teams will play. Or am i wrong ?
If i'm right then there is absolutely no reason someone to say Milan players "fixed" the draw.
It would have been stupid to say that anyway, but this way it will be an ultimate stupidity
anyone knows, who we will play on 9/18?
Well, of course we could have been blessed with a better draw. It is crucial to get hard matches before New Year. My only hope for a tough game will be vs. Shakhtar Donetsk...
Kaka, Maldini and Seedorf. Thank you for your love and sportsmanship. Galliani was there too with good feelings.
I'm looking forward to watch Real Madrid - Lazio!!!
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 12:13
If i'm not wrong Milan players were only drawing the teams, not the groups where teams will play. Or am i wrong ?
If i'm right then there is absolutely no reason someone to say Milan players "fixed" the draw.
It would have been stupid to say that anyway, but this way it will be an ultimate stupidity
yes, you are right - Rinat Dasayev was drawing the group letters
P.S. on second thought, Dasayev did form a good relationship with MvB years ago so the conspiracy theorists may well have a reason :diablo:
Maltese Charlie
30-08-2007, 12:14
All the groups for this year's CL:
A)
1. Liverpool
2. Porto
3. Marseille
4. Besiktas
B)
1. Chelski
2. Valencia
3. Schalke
4. Rosenborg
C)
1. Real M
2. Werder
3. Lazio
4. Olympiacos
D)
1. Milan
2. Benfica
3. Celtic
4. Shakhtar
E)
1. Barca
2. Lyon
3. Stuttgart
4. Rangers
F)
1. ManU
2. Roma
3. Sporting
4. Dynamo Kiev
G)
1. Inter
2. PSV
3. CSKA Moskva
4. Fenerbahce
H)
1. Arsenal
2. Sevilla / AEK
3. Steaua
4. Slavia Prague
Zlat, you left out group I
1. Juventus
2. Marsians F.C.
3. Jupiter F.C
4. Saturn F.C.
:devf: :diablo: :grinser: :uhm:
Rayno_acm
30-08-2007, 12:18
The group really reminds of 2004-2005, when we had again Celtic and Shakhtar, but this time Benfica instead of Barcelona as the team from pot 2. And that's normal since Barca now was in pot 1. That's the result for having the highest coef. :D Every year the group look easier and easier :D
And of copurse, I hope Rui Costa will be healthy enough to see him again on the pitch of "San Siro" and I hope he will recieve the applauds he deserve. :clap:
Wonderful group if you ask me :5ok:
Zlat, you left out group I
1. Juventus
2. Marsians F.C.
3. Jupiter F.C
4. Saturn F.C.
:devf: :diablo: :grinser: :uhm:
Maybe you will find it hard to believe....but there really is Saturn F.C :)
The group really reminds of 2004-2005, when we had again Celtic and Shakhtar, but this time Benfica instead of Barcelona as the team from pot 2. And that's normal since Barca now was in pot 1. That's the result for having the highest coef. :D Every year the group look easier and easier :D
And of copurse, I hope Rui Costa will be healthy enough to see him again on the pitch of "San Siro" and I hope he will recieve the applauds he deserve. :clap:
Wonderful group if you ask me :5ok:
This year's groups look so easy because Bayern and Juve aren't in CL.
If Juve and Bayern were there (with the coefficients from 1 years ago, before Calciopoli) then Juve would have been in pot1, Bayern and Chelsea would have been in pot2 instead of Benfica and Werder and these 2 teams (Benfica and Werder) would have been in pot3.
That way the groups would have been much tougher, imo !
King tiger
30-08-2007, 12:23
Zlat, you left out group I
1. Juventus
2. Marsians F.C.
3. Jupiter F.C
4. Saturn F.C.
lol saturn fc exist. rofl
EDIT:ah Tony i hate you :( :D :D
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 12:23
Maybe you will find it hard to believe....but there really is Saturn F.C :)
I won't ... and given that there is Zenit too, I wouldn't be surprised if there is also FC Jupiter and AC Mars in the lower Russian leagues :D
slicknick
30-08-2007, 12:24
I actually do like the group... Celtic can, perhaps, prove to be a tough nut to crack, just like they did last year though... As long as our boys do not underestimate the 3 opponents, I think we should have no problem cruising past the group stage comfortably..
I'm glad we're facing Celtic, those guys and their fans are pure class...
and the chance to have Rui Costa back home for a day...
and facing a fellow mexican in Shaktar... Neri Castillo
Maltese Charlie
30-08-2007, 12:26
Maybe you will find it hard to believe....but there really is Saturn F.C :)
It was only a joke! Just to tease you a little bit.
From which country?
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 12:28
It was only a joke! Just to tease you a little bit.
From which country?
Russia, of course :D
I've got to say we haven't been handed too much of a tricky group (though that's what we thought last year). Nice to see some of your players be awarded too. I had a feeling that Maldini would at long last be chosen, Seedorf for his improvements last year and Kaka ... for being Kaka!
King tiger
30-08-2007, 12:42
Kaka ... for being Kaka!
rofl lol :D :D :ilol:
Why does it look like we are always getting celtic and bayern just like Chelsea keeps getting Barcelona??????
Why does it look like we are always getting celtic and bayern just like Chelsea keeps getting Barcelona??????
and just like Inter keeps getting.................................. humiliated :D
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 12:51
and just like Inter keeps getting.................................. humiliated :D
I have a funny feeling Inter will really struggle ... oops, I meant will struggle even more in the CL this year.
They seem to be really self-complacent from their success in serie A last year and all that pompous talk of best team in the world seems to be getting to them - I am not referring to the butt-massage Barca gave them - and an approach like that can only bury them in a group that is seemingly way too easy to represent a hurdle for them.
Maltese Charlie
30-08-2007, 12:57
and just like Inter keeps getting.................................. humiliated :D
:grinser: :grinser:
Milan - Benfica (AND. 18 Sept / RIT. 28 Nov)
Celtic - Milan (AND. 03 Oct / RIT. 04 Dec)
Milan - Shaktar (AND. 24 Oct / RIT. 06 Nov)
and just like Inter keeps getting.................................. humiliated :D
For sure CSKA will be quite tough to be beaten in their home turf not to mention PSV would be a sleping force (I watch Koeman's smile to knowing they will face Inter...maybe he already think about to give Inter the Holland's rotten cheese ?)
And...never ever underestimate Fenerbahce when they play at home....
I predict that Zlatan got red carded against PSV like the old days when he played in Holland....;-))
Oh no, we got a lousy group....i guess we will struggle and clinch the 1st place in the end...... :bri:
Im happy with our group, it would be nice to see the Celtic fans return as they were pretty funny. I can imagine them giving us the same lines like 'Who needs Kaka when you have Naka' lol. Also im sure it will be really emotional for Rui Costa to return to the San Siro and just like other Milan legends he should get a hero's welcome.
For sure CSKA will be quite tough to be beaten in their home turf not to mention PSV would be a sleping force (I watch Koeman's smile to knowing they will face Inter...maybe he already think about to give Inter the Holland's rotten cheese ?)
And...never ever underestimate Fenerbahce when they play at home....
I predict that Zlatan got red carded against PSV like the old days when he played in Holland....;-))
I will be REALLY surprised if Inter get past the group stages, they have such a tough group.
I will be REALLY surprised if Inter get past the group stages, they have such a tough group.
I doubt they'll be eliminated. They will win the group, imo.
I think we're underestimating them a lot. Yes, they have problems atm, yes, they are chokers but if you just compare the quality they have with the quality of the teams in their group you'll see that it will be a miracle two of PSV, CSKA and Fener to finish above Inter in the group.
Fenerbahce did reinforce themselves but they are still below average. They aren't any stronger than they were 2 years ago when Milan trushed them 0:4 in Istanbul. This year they didn't do good in the market as some people think. They sold some very important players like Tuncay, Umit , Serkan , goalkeeper Rustu Recber and winger Mehmet. All of them were part of Fener's successes in last year.
They replaced them with old Roberto Carlos, Colin Kazim-Richards from Sheffield Utd and with Brazilian Wederson.
The names of Carlos, Wederson and Richards are what makes people think that Fener is now stronger, but in reality i think they are even weaker because they lost players that were really important and replaced them with former superstars who are now clearly average players.
Fener are still strong with Appiah, Alex, Dracena, Aurelio, Kezman and Lugano but not a match to Inter
PSV was the easiest team they could get from pot2. PSV lost their leader Phillip Cocu, today they lost their best player Arouna Kone (sold to Sevilla), DeMarkus Beasley went to Glasgow and some of the old experienced players like Kluivert and Reiziger left the team.
They are not as strong anymore. Even in Holland they aren't considered as favorites to win the league.
CSKA Moscow is a tough nut and playing away in Russia is always tricky. Inter has bad memories from Lokomotiv Moscow and CSKA has proven to be tough last year against Arsenal. But still i expect Inter to beat them, at least at home.
Not a chance Inter to be eliminated from the group, imo.
If I could have chosen freely the teams we get in CL I would have chosen -
FC Barcelona
Manchester United
Liverpool
So we meet again.
Our defence is as bad as it was last season. With Ronaldo available for you's it shouldn't hard to score against us. Up front we haven't really improved. Australian international Scott McDonald was signed. He scored last night. There might be one more signing before tomorrow night.
In midfield we're completely different though. Lennon is gone and we don't really play a holding midfielder. The new midfield partnership is Donati and Scott Brown. Donati has been given a lot of freedom at Celtic and has scored 2 goals already. He has settled well. Scott Brown has been unbelievable. He's going to be world class, no doubt about it. A lot like a young Roy Keane. He played against Italy last year and did well.
Our fixtures against Milan aren't bad. I hope you've qualified by the time we play the last game. ;)
If I could have chosen freely the teams we get in CL I would have chosen -
FC Barcelona
Manchester United
Liverpool
Which 4 teams you would have supported if that was Milan's group ?
I hope you've qualified by the time we play the last game. ;)
Milan is not a team that gives freely the 3 points after they qualify for the next stage, so i don't know why would you think it's good to play against them in round 6
:D
ACMILAN1983
30-08-2007, 15:29
no complaints about our group, it's not easy (no groups ever are), but we should win it. I was actually pretty pleased to draw Celtic and Benfica, as Celtic fans are a great crowd to have and Rui plays for Benfica :D
What struck me this year is there's no real group of death that really looks tasty.
remote2book
30-08-2007, 15:48
no complaints about our group, it's not easy (no groups ever are), but we should win it. I was actually pretty pleased to draw Celtic and Benfica, as Celtic fans are a great crowd to have and Rui plays for Benfica :D
What struck me this year is there's no real group of death that really looks tasty.
id say the barca, lyon, dtutgsrt and rangers
ukrainian_CA
30-08-2007, 15:56
Russia, of course :D
:-) true :-)
There, 7th place currently
Команда И В Н П М О
Спартак(М) 22 12 6 4 34-22 42
Зенит 22 11 7 4 38-28 40
Москва 22 10 6 6 27-25 36
ЦСКА 22 8 10 4 29-19 34
Динамо(М) 22 9 6 7 29-24 33
Амкар 22 7 10 5 22-17 31
Сатурн 22 7 10 5 22-21 31
Milan is not a team that gives freely the 3 points after they qualify for the next stage, so i don't know why would you think it's good to play against them in round 6
:D
errrr, i can't even recall AC Milan getting a win after we qualify for the next stage in the past few seasons. And we always play with the reserve team after we qualify, this is the AC Milan i remember from the past few seasons.
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 16:11
errrr, i can't even recall AC Milan getting a win after we qualify for the next stage in the past few seasons. And we always play with the reserve team after we qualify, this is the AC Milan i remember from the past few seasons.
hwmook, the Juventino dude was being sarcastic :mad:
being a Juve fan, he has come to believe that barely scraping thru the CL groups is how things should be done ... take that, Tony J :D
errrr, i can't even recall AC Milan getting a win after we qualify for the next stage in the past few seasons. And we always play with the reserve team after we qualify, this is the AC Milan i remember from the past few seasons.
You forgot to read the smiley in my post and you forgot to switch your sarcasm detector ON :grinser:
I read the other day that Celtic were looking to get rid of Jarosik, Zurawski and another player whos name i've forgotten. I would have thought these two players were quite strong squad players to get rid of, but i guess they must be confident in the squad they have if they're willing to release these guys.
Hopefully Boruc won't be in inspired form against us :D
hwmook, the Juventino dude was being sarcastic :mad:
being a Juve fan, he has come to believe that barely scraping thru the CL groups is how things should be done ... take that, Tony J :D
Did you just serve me a perfect ball ? I'll be glad to make a slam-dunk :D
In last years before calciopoli Juve always had the qualification for round 2 secured before the 5th round and we never lost the last 2 matches.
Once, when we had the first place secured and Olympiacos needed the win in the last round, we smashed them 7:0.
Now compare this with what Milan was doing in the last rounds
Take this Evgeni M :D
P.S : Seriously though, what Milan is doing in last matches of the group stages is logical and i understand it, but it's far from fair.
If Milan was winning the meaningless matches like Juve was and if Juve was losing these matches like Milan was........ oh, boy, i can't even think about all the accusations from the members of MilanMania.
And now when Milan is doing it, you even find it to be perfectly normal.
ACMILAN1983
30-08-2007, 16:31
id say the barca, lyon, dtutgsrt and rangers
Yeah, that was the one that came to my mind too, but even then it's not that tough. Barca are good, but Lyon aren't as good as before and the others aren't particularly strong. It doesn't really compare to some of the groups of death of previous years.
P.S : Seriously though, what Milan is doing in last matches of the group stages is logical and i understand it, but it's far from fair.
If Milan was winning the meaningless matches like Juve was and if Juve was losing these matches like Milan was........ oh, boy, i can't even think about all the accusations from the members of MilanMania.
And now when Milan is doing it, you even find it to be perfectly normal.
That's the difference between a seasoned UCL winner and a wannabe. :grinser:
PS: On a serious note, i never felt it to be unfair for a team to lose meaningless matches. If people start blaming the team for not winning meaningless games then shall we start blaming the draw of group etc? If you are caught in such situations then just blame it on your luck or your lack of ability. If we want to phrase it in another way, because juve already qualify thus no pressure to win the game and they start to play better so now another team can start complaining how unfair it is to be in such situations. Its a never ending story.
Lets just hope our CL this year doesnt end up like it did last time when we won the damn thing, then again I would love it if our domestic season ended up like that.
Yeah, that was the one that came to my mind too, but even then it's not that tough. Barca are good, but Lyon aren't as good as before and the others aren't particularly strong. It doesn't really compare to some of the groups of death of previous years.
This is why Dev :
http://www.milanmania.com/forums/showpost.php?p=451925&postcount=110
You can add Ajax also !
That's the difference between a seasoned UCL winner and a wannabe.
You know, there will come a time when Milan will depend on the result of the other match in the group and you'll need , lets say, Barcelona not to lose at home from Slavia Prague.
I'd ask you then how will you feel when Slavia will beat Barcelona at Camp Nou.
I wasn't saying it wasn't logical, i was saying it wasn't fair. It wasn't fair at all.
You know, there will come a time when Milan will depend on the result of the other match in the group and you'll need , lets say, Barcelona not to lose at home from Slavia Prague.
I'd ask you then how will you feel when Slavia will beat Barcelona at Camp Nou.
I wasn't saying it wasn't logical, i was saying it wasn't fair. It wasn't fair at all.
In the 2000/2001 UCL, we were in a similar situation and we were out of the competition because results didn't went our way. I don't remember anybody whining about that here other then the way our team play really sux. Come on, if you depend on another team to do you a favour then you don't deserve to be there in the first place.
Trust me, i will just curse our luck and how bad our team is if our team is in the situation you describe. Nothing biased here, just the way i see things.
In the 2000/2001 UCL, we were in a similar situation and we were out of the competition because results didn't went our way. I don't remember anybody whining about that here other then the way our team play really sux. Come on, if you depend on another team to do you a favour then you don't deserve to be there in the first place.
Trust me, i will just curse our luck and how bad our team is if our team is in the situation you describe. Nothing biased here, just the way i see things.
It is very easy to say that now with a clear head, not quite the same if the situation would actually arise.
I read the other day that Celtic were looking to get rid of Jarosik, Zurawski and another player whos name i've forgotten. I would have thought these two players were quite strong squad players to get rid of, but i guess they must be confident in the squad they have if they're willing to release these guys.
Hopefully Boruc won't be in inspired form against us :D
Gravesen, Zurawski, Jarosik and Balde have been playing reserve football this season. Gravesen joined Everton on a year loan today. Balde is being linked with Fulham and Sunderland but he's happy with his £30k a week at Celtic for doing nothing. Zurawski was linked with a move back to Poland but it looks like he's staying. Jarosik's agents are trying to get him a move to Russia. Kenny Miller might join Derby tomorrow. Very busy day for Celtic tomorrow.
They're all probably big names for Celtic but they're not good enough. Everton bid £9m for Scott Brown this week as well, only a few months after joining Celtic. That shows how highly he's rated. Watch out for him!
In the 2000/2001 UCL, we were in a similar situation and we were out of the competition because results didn't went our way. I don't remember anybody whining about that here other then the way our team play really sux. Come on, if you depend on another team to do you a favour then you don't deserve to be there in the first place.
Trust me, i will just curse our luck and how bad our team is if our team is in the situation you describe. Nothing biased here, just the way i see things.
But in 2000/01 you had it all in your own hands, you didn't depend on the result of the other match.
Before the 6th round the situation in the group was :
1. Galatasaray 10
2. La Coruna 9
3. Milan 6
4. PSG 2
In the last round PSG (who were already out) were hosting Galatasaray while you played at home to La Coruna.
Everything depended on your match vs La Coruna, both for you and for them.
PSG has even beaten Galatasaray, eventhough they didn't need it (kudos to them, that's what i'm talking about) , while you couldn't beat La Coruna and you were eliminated.
Man, i'm not attacking only Milan for doing that. Juve did the same thing this year to poor Arezzo. All it needed Arezzo to stay in serie B was Juve not to lose at home to Spezia in the last round of serie B.
Juve let all the primavera players play that match and lost 2:3 at home to Spezia.
How was that fair to Arezzo ?
I know, Arezzo have themselves to blame the most for being in such a position to depend on other results but realistically speaking, Spezia wouldn't have beaten Juve in Torino in 1000/1000 matches if it wasn't the final match of the season. This automatically makes the standings unrealistic and unfair at the same time.
I'm aware that teams try to prevent themselves from tiredness, injuries etc, but sometimes they must stop thinking so egoistic.
I am proud of Juve from the match vs Olympiacos but i am ashamed from what Juve did against Spezia.
But i guess it's an utopia what i am expecting :notlist:
Hmmm... I do not want to remember the 00/01 season, ALL Italian teams were eliminated from all European Cup. Milan was the last hope but failed due to the last-match draw with Deportivo ( a team that always brings bad omen).
Thank Zaccheroni for a wonderful 100th birthday present, but he cannot give Milan the champion attitude in CL.
Benfica will be doing well to even finish 3rd judging by this.
Celtic produced arguably their best performance of the season last year against the Portuguese team. Kenny Miller scored twice in a thrilling 3-0 win at Celtic Park, but in the away match they suffered a 3-0 reverse.
A significant proportion of Benfica's team has changed from that victory. Simao Sabrosa, the hugely influential winger, moved to Atletico Madrid in the summer and his departure has been keenly felt. They have also lost Greek midfield linchpin Giorgios Karagounis to Panathinaikos and Fabrizio Miccoli, the talented Italian striker. Brazilian winger Anderson went to Lyon, and Manuel Fernandes to Valencia.
The most notable of the incoming traffic was Freddy Adu, the American protege. Marc Zoro, the Ivory Coast international defender who attempted to stop a Messina-Inter Milan match after being tormented by racist taunts from some Inter supporters, was another key acquisition.
Benfica are currently seventh in the Portuguese league, having drawn their their opening two games.
Benfica will be doing well to even finish 3rd judging by this.
Celtic produced arguably their best performance of the season last year against the Portuguese team. Kenny Miller scored twice in a thrilling 3-0 win at Celtic Park, but in the away match they suffered a 3-0 reverse.
A significant proportion of Benfica's team has changed from that victory. Simao Sabrosa, the hugely influential winger, moved to Atletico Madrid in the summer and his departure has been keenly felt. They have also lost Greek midfield linchpin Giorgios Karagounis to Panathinaikos and Fabrizio Miccoli, the talented Italian striker. Brazilian winger Anderson went to Lyon, and Manuel Fernandes to Valencia.
The most notable of the incoming traffic was Freddy Adu, the American protege. Marc Zoro, the Ivory Coast international defender who attempted to stop a Messina-Inter Milan match after being tormented by racist taunts from some Inter supporters, was another key acquisition.
Benfica are currently seventh in the Portuguese league, having drawn their their opening two games.
They can lose even Nuno Gomes, i think. There were and still are many rumors about him leaving Benfica.
We'll see tomorrow :)
But this year's Benfica is far from a team that deserves to be in pot2. Miccoli, Karagounis, Anderson etc were all good and useful players, especially Miccoli and Karagounis.
But losing Simao will be a huge blow. He was their everything. Leader, best player, their brain in midfield....he was as important to them as Kaka is to Milan.
Celtic can again eliminate Benfica, like they did last year.
zlatanov
30-08-2007, 20:15
But in 2000/01 you had it all in your own hands, you didn't depend on the result of the other match.
Before the 6th round the situation in the group was :
1. Galatasaray 10
2. La Coruna 9
3. Milan 6
4. PSG 2
In the last round PSG (who were already out) were hosting Galatasaray while you played at home to La Coruna.
Everything depended on your match vs La Coruna, both for you and for them.
PSG has even beaten Galatasaray, eventhough they didn't need it (kudos to them, that's what i'm talking about) , while you couldn't beat La Coruna and you were eliminated.
well, last year, in order to qualify for the next round, all AEK had to do was win vs Anderlecht ... had they done that, the result from the Milan-Lille game wouldn't have mattered, so AEK also had their fate in their hands, as you put it.
Yet, somehow, Milan was again blamed for everything in the end and all kinds of conspiracies came to the surface.
Man, i'm not attacking only Milan for doing that. Juve did the same thing this year to poor Arezzo. All it needed Arezzo to stay in serie B was Juve not to lose at home to Spezia in the last round of serie B.
Juve let all the primavera players play that match and lost 2:3 at home to Spezia.
How was that fair to Arezzo ?
I know, Arezzo have themselves to blame the most for being in such a position to depend on other results but realistically speaking, Spezia wouldn't have beaten Juve in Torino in 1000/1000 matches if it wasn't the final match of the season. This automatically makes the standings unrealistic and unfair at the same time.
I'm aware that teams try to prevent themselves from tiredness, injuries etc, but sometimes they must stop thinking so egoistic.
I am proud of Juve from the match vs Olympiacos but i am ashamed from what Juve did against Spezia.
But i guess it's an utopia what i am expecting :notlist:
I think you have a very pinkish idea of Juve's CL business, Tony. I just had a look thru their last 5-6 years in the CL and what I found was in those games you are talking about they did have an interest to take the 3 pts as they were still fighting to be winners in that group.
Only on one occasion they had the first place secured by the 6th round and on that day they drew with Maccabi Haifa ;)
In all those cases in which you are blaming Milan for unfair sportsmanship, they had the first place, not just qualification, secured by the 5th game and even by the 4th game in the group stages. :)
Also, here are the line ups from some of Juve's final games in the groups, including the famous 7-0 win over Olympiacos:
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season=2003/round=1712/match=1056883/report=lu.html
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season=2004/round=1968/match=1077230/report=lu.html
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season=2002/round=1636/match=1036520/report=lu.html
As you can see, that's hardly Juve's best line ups ... yeah, they may have won/drawn those games but that can go on their adversaries being poor or as hwmook suggested, Juve playing better without the pressure, while the other teams bending under it.
Either way, when you starting line up looks like that, the intentions are pretty clear - the same that Milan had when not starting their best line ups, no difference - as for the result, it may well be a lucky fluke i.e. something you didn't intend to get at the start of the game, which I think the line-ups suggest pretty clearly.
Lets just hope our CL this year doesnt end up like it did last time when we won the damn thing, then again I would love it if our domestic season ended up like that.
I know what you meant but the way you said it sound like you are hoping that we don't win the CL this year :D
At first I was thinking that you are either having a hangover or that stuff BM is smoking on your avatar aint excatly legal :grinser:
well, last year, in order to qualify for the next round, all AEK had to do was win vs Anderlecht ... had they done that, the result from the Milan-Lille game wouldn't have mattered, so AEK also had their fate in their hands, as you put it.
Yet, somehow, Milan was again blamed for everything in the end and all kinds of conspiracies came to the surface.
I think you have a very pinkish idea of Juve's CL business, Tony. I just had a look thru their last 5-6 years in the CL and what I found was in those games you are talking about they did have an interest to take the 3 pts as they were still fighting to be winners in that group.
Only on one occasion they had the first place secured by the 6th round and on that day they drew with Maccabi Haifa ;)
In all those cases in which you are blaming Milan for unfair sportsmanship, they had the first place, not just qualification, secured by the 5th game and even by the 4th game in the group stages. :)
Also, here are the line ups from some of Juve's final games in the groups, including the famous 7-0 win over Olympiacos:
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season=2003/round=1712/match=1056883/report=lu.html
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/history/season=2002/round=1636/match=1036520/report=lu.html
As you can see, that's hardly Juve's best line up ... yeah, they may have won those games but that can go on their adversaries being poor or as hwmook suggested, Juve playing better without the pressure, while the other teams bending under it.
Either way, when you starting line up looks like that, the intentions are pretty clear - the same that Milan had when not starting their best line ups, no difference - as for the result, it may well be a lucky fluke i.e. something you didn't intend to get at the start of the game, which I think the line-ups suggest pretty clearly.
kudos to zlat for exposing tony's tinted lens yet again. :grinser:
I still maintain my stand, there is nothing wrong is fielding a weaker side for meaningless game. Unless somebody show me facts that we were bribed to lose such games then i see nothing unfair about it. You know, those teams that need milan to do them a favour could have send us gifts like real madrid is doing in la liga. :devf:
Blacktop
30-08-2007, 22:47
How on earth did Cech win that? Especially after missing alot of last season due to that injury against Reading and that obviously both Dida & Reina got to the final ... and also Reina's heroics in the penalty shoot out against Chelsea. What a rubbish choice.
UEFA is more partial to EPL teams. Can anyone remember anything noteworthy Cech and Chelsea have done in the CL the past three years? Me neither.
Dida and Reina were far more deserving candidates, but I'll bet you a cool million that The ManU Match of Eternal Damnation was held against him.
hany.Egypt
30-08-2007, 22:51
there is nothing wrong but unfaire , yes Milan or any other big team has the right to field a weaker squad in order to give their starting 11 some desaerved rest, though the other teams have the right to see big teams like Milan playing with the same level against their rivales as what they did against them, so as you see there is no contradiction between nothing wrong but at the same time unfaire
It's funny how it says on acmilan.com 'Milan win it all' (which is almost true) - does Cech play for us now? :)
I wonder if we'll get any Benfica & Shaktar fans joining our forums :D
Although difficult, both us & Celtic should be able to progress barring injuries.
We won't have to worry about Kenny Miller for Celtic as he's signed for Derby :D
ukrainian_CA
01-09-2007, 01:17
Is this the 3rd time that AC Milan will travel there?
I have never been in that city of miners ... got close last summer.
In Ukraine, Shakhtar players are called "moles" , the term is derogatory as you can guess,
Lots of folks in Ukraine aren't happy about the number of foreigners in 2 best UA teams. Ukraine's NT has more players from my beloved Dniepr-sk than from either Kiev or Donetzk (and many of those from Kiev and Donetzk do not start games).
However, this year Dnepr has started with 6 wins, when Kiev lost a bunch of pts, too early to tell...
ukrainian_CA
01-09-2007, 01:25
I wonder if we'll get any Benfica & Shaktar fans joining our forums :D
Although difficult, both us & Celtic should be able to progress barring injuries.
Jim, do you want me to drop a few lines at Shakhtar's forum so they would know they are welcome to discuss in a polite manner here?
ines_slb
04-09-2007, 04:23
I am a Benfica fan and Milan fan. I wait to see two good games between ours teams. :bri:
Clarence1990
04-09-2007, 13:56
I think Milan and Celtic will go through, I know Benfica lost Simao which was an important player for them. We should be able to pass this group.
Jim, do you want me to drop a few lines at Shakhtar's forum so they would know they are welcome to discuss in a polite manner here?
If you want to mate :)
ACMILAN1983
04-09-2007, 15:17
Welcome ines_slb :)
I look forward to the match between our teams as Rui will be involved during his last season. He's been great for us in the past and always a gentleman :)
ines_slb
04-09-2007, 16:01
Rui Costa in an interview they had asked to it: ´
- Already they had bound to it, of Milan, some friends or old friends?
Rui:Already! It is normal, not? Who would say…
- It smiled when it knew that the San Siro would come back. Comes it to it the memory special emotions?
Rui:Clearly, they are some years and many friends. To wait, nothing waited. It was written in the stars that would have to come back to a house where I was happy. It is the destination… By the way, already it happened me the same when, in Goblet the UEFA and for the Fiorentina, I had to confrot the Benfica.
- It did not commemorate, before cried, when it marked for the Fiorentina, in the Light. It finds that it goes to commemorate to mark itself in San Siro to the AC Milan?
Rui: Ah! , we cannot speak… [laughs].
The tears of Rui Costa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC0qpfumQsY
ACMILAN1983
04-09-2007, 16:16
Great guy, he also sent a letter to Milan to wish us luck before the CL final in May, really a great act. Benfica are lucky to have the legend for his last season
hey guys Im a celtic fan from Glasgow coming to Milan for the game in december it me and my mates first way european game and we are looking forward to it especialy to getting a look inside a full san siro. Just hope you're through by the time we play you so i can have a nice memory for my first away european game. :dielaugh:
ines_slb
05-09-2007, 03:14
hey guys Im a celtic fan from Glasgow coming to Milan for the game in december it me and my mates first way european game and we are looking forward to it especialy to getting a look inside a full san siro. Just hope you're through by the time we play you so i can have a nice memory for my first away european game. :dielaugh:
Welcome I am a Benfica (SLB) fan. Good luck Celtic (my scotland team) and Milan (my italian team), but i hope Benfica go to 1/8 final's.
Site made and about Benfica fans: http://www.serbenfiquista.com/
slicknick
05-09-2007, 03:57
Now, all we need is Shaktar fan in the forums, lol :)
Now, all we need is Shaktar fan in the forums, lol :)
Find Rico......
ACMILAN1983
05-09-2007, 12:20
welcome jbhoy :)
ines_slb
09-09-2007, 04:54
9 days to Milan-BENFICA!!!!
ines_slb
09-09-2007, 06:25
Champion Benfica 2004/2005 football players party
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=29pEsEerkys
Benfica Champion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93IiA5s1yrk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSzVDTEsEvg
This game is one of hard to predict. Still I do belive in Milan to win
so I say 2-1 our goals by Kaka and inzaghi
This game is one of hard to predict. Still I do belive in Milan to win
so I say 2-1 our goals by Kaka and inzaghi
Not a bad prediction! :)
hitmannq8
11-12-2007, 17:13
here's the updated list of clubs that have qualified so far, and IF NO SURPRISES occur, this is how it should look at then end of tomorrow:
top seeds: Porto, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Inter, Man Utd, Milan, Barcelona, Sevilla(?)
runnersup: Liverpool, Olympiakos, Schalke, Roma, Fenerbahce(?), Celtic, Lyon(?), Arsenal(?)
From personal experience, the CL always likes to pit certain teams together always like Real/Roma, Milan/Celtic for example. If I had to place a bet on who we'd get ummmm I think we'll get Schalke. If I were to choose who I want, I'd definitely go for Liverpool/Arsenal.
Stezagud
11-12-2007, 17:37
You actually want to play Liverpool or Arsenal this early?
Who knows? Milan may actually play better when playing against stronger team :).
hitmannq8
12-12-2007, 04:56
You actually want to play Liverpool or Arsenal this early?
Oh yeah, definitely! If we going to get eliminated we might as well get eliminated now, and besides the game is in 2 months++ from now, so the form will be drastically different, im sure of it! but even if our form aint good enough, we wont get eliminated at the San Siro, I can't see that happening..
remote2book
12-12-2007, 16:56
ok ok ok so the last matchday was today....here are the teams that won the group
group A: FC porto (Portugal) Runners up: Liverpool (england)
group B: Chelsea (england) Runners up: Schalke 04 (germany)
group C: Real Madrid (spain) Runners up: Olympiacos (greece)
group D: AC Milan :) (italy) Runners up: Celtic FC (scotland)
group E: FC Barcelona (spain) Runners up: Lyon (France)
group F: Man U (england) Runners up: Roma (italy)
group G: Inter (italy) Runners up: Fenerbache (turkey)
group H: Seviilla FC (spain) Runners up: Arsenal (England)
since we cant play against any team from italy or any other team that won the group the options are.....liverpool, schalke04, olympiacos, fenerbache, arsenal, lyon
out of all these teams i would be happy if we drew with fenerbache or schalke the reason not olympiacos because i see them as dark horses in this years CL very stong team
slicknick
12-12-2007, 16:59
Liverpool...JK :tongue1:
Mr. Anonymous
13-12-2007, 09:56
Arsenal or Liverpool would be tuff draws.
But to be the best you gotta beat the best.
ForzaMilano821
13-12-2007, 13:57
When will the drawings be held?
hitmannq8
21-12-2007, 05:33
20 minutes to the draw. does anyone know how can i watch it from the middle east?
I don't mind too much who we draw, as all games will be hard given our recent problems. My feelings are best reflected in the 12/1 odds.
hany.Egypt
21-12-2007, 06:11
20 minutes to the draw. does anyone know how can i watch it from the middle east?
Hitmannq8 Art sport
The Greek TV has the draw live but i am at the work so here there is no TV....
hitmannq8
21-12-2007, 06:18
YEsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
WE GOT ASRENALLLL
Celtic - Barcelona
Lyon - Manchester United (nice)
Schalke - Porto
Liverpool - Inter
Roma - Real Madrid
Arsenal - Milan (I didn't want that)
Olympiakos - chelsea
Fenerbahce - Sevilla (also good)....
At least it'd be easier (geographically) to get tickets for the game, though they'll be expensive and limited.
kastriot
21-12-2007, 06:20
SO its Arsenal.......tough draw, but you have to beat everyone in order to win the competition....
Arsenal are really strong physically and technically. Arguably they play the best football in the world..
Good luck to the team!!!
hitmannq8
21-12-2007, 06:23
yes just like i expected, italians vs strong opposition (ENGLISH, THE VICTORY WILL TASTE SWEETER)
MILAN x ARSENALLLL HAHAHAHA YES (at least its goin to be on TV in canada)
Inter x Liverpool
Real x Roma (like 5 times in 7 years now)
Man U x Lyon
Chelsea x Fenerbahce
Barca x Celtic
Porto x Schalke (wow im definitely seeing this one)
Olympiakos x Seville
Your wishes have been granted, now lets hope for a cracker of a game.
We haven't met since 94 and this is going to be a very special occasion (I did think we would meet up in the CL 06 Final though!)
Who will you support Fantasma, or will you be happy who ever wins?
SO its Arsenal.......tough draw, but you have to beat everyone in order to win the competition....
Arsenal are really strong physically and technically. Arguably they play the best football in the world..
Good luck to the team!!!
Come on they are not so good, it depends on Milan, we must play was we did last year against United, We need to face the best but i prefered to do it after the "16" when we usually are in shape :pp20: .
fast team for slow milan. Hard one, but better than some 'boring' turkish club (no offense). I like it, if we get out lets get out early...
fast team for slow milan. Hard one, but better than some 'boring' turkish club (no offense). I like it, if we get out lets get out early...
The only reason i can be happy of our is if we will make trasfers.... :rr30:
we should just limit the damage on our away game, loosing by 1 goal the most. We can crush them at san siro anytime, but lets wait for a winter transfer and after-winter break form.
Who will you support Fantasma, or will you be happy who ever wins?
It doesn't matter who I support, I just hope for a real good game and can't wait to see Kaka at the Grove. He has mentioned Arsenal in the past about how they play good, quicky footy just like Brazillans and now he can have a much closer look.
schalke-porto and fenerbache-sevilla, I cant believe, two week matches
and on the same page liverpool-inter and arsenal-Milan....though I still believe Milan is absolute capable of eliminating Venger's team
predatorfc
21-12-2007, 06:56
where can I get the Milan-Arsenal tickets in Emirates???? wanna sit at the Milan section
hany.Egypt
21-12-2007, 07:15
Arsenal v AC Milan!
we got Arsenal......................, but no we will beat them.
Forza Milan
hany.Egypt
21-12-2007, 07:24
Aresnal is the toughest sside Milan can meet because their points of strength are exactly our points of weaknesses they are fast and strong and young, but at the same time inexperianced so we have to be very careful and must score in England so that we dont suffer in Italy like what happened to Juventus 2 years ago, our managment also must sing some young and fast deffenders inoder to cope with their fast defense, cant wait for the match.
WORST POSSIBLE DRAW! But we are Milan!
Fingers crossed for Liverpool andinst inter and for Roma against Real Merda.
HO-YOUNG
21-12-2007, 09:03
MILAN will beat those little boys from England...I wish Arsenal had more English players that we could make a mockery of... The bosses can sign a four young speedy talent who are not cup tied.
The problem is Serie A. If Milan play Arsenal in CWC, I bet Milan can win. Yet in February with so many matches and so shallow bench we have, fitness and injury come into play.
I don't see why people wanted Arsenal so badly. They're not *that* inexperienced anymore and they play the kind of game Roma owned us with last year. Not an ideal match up by any means but I'm sure we can pull something out.
eltomas2
21-12-2007, 14:36
worst possible draw but FOR Arsenal! let's not forget that last year ManU was the best team in the EPL and Milan outplayed them, as long as Milan faces a team that let's us play our game Milan has a strong chance. Like someone else said, the only worry is injuries cause Jan and Feb are VERY VERY busy.
Tough draw. I am hoping all the Italian sides advance for the good of the Italian football.
Anyhow, there is a lot of time untill February. Arsenal is playing great football at the moment(perhaps the best in the world), however things will change 2 months from now. We might hit form, and they might struggle. In any case when games like these come, form doesn't matter anyway. It is anyone's game and I am excited to see us eliminate yet ANOTHER English team. :grinser:
dam, the Italian teams had the worst draw possible, i hate inter but i will cheer for roma, in the other side i dont madrid and Lpool to win.
Milan vs. Arsenal - what a match, can't predict on anything.
I'm going to be going to the Arsenal vs AC Milan fixture. Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This will be a very good game. A tough game but I believe it will be an exhibition of football from both sides. Really looking forward to it.
Arsenal are a very good team, but thankfully they play the football which suits us too.
inomilan
22-12-2007, 12:26
damn it...d 1st leg is during our exams! :|
at least it will be summer here during d 2nd leg :D
Stezagud
22-12-2007, 13:13
Arsenal will win.
This is really a mouth-watering tie, all the Gooners I have come across keep mentioning this as not only the tie of the round but so far the tie of the year. When you think about it, it does make some sense as these teams have only faced each other once before. It's not a big surprise that these teams haven't met before as Arsenal aren't that strong in Europe, not compared to the elite such as Pool, United, Milan and Madrid.
Still I can't wait for this, I just wish for a great game and for the winning team to go forward and win the competition, a lot of the Arsenal fans are cautious and aware of the great threat Milan possess in Kaka, Pirlo and Gattuso. These are the names that are being thrown around and everyone is going crazy at trying to get some tickets (including me). However some Arsenal fans are being stupid and falling into the same trap as the United and Pool fans did last year using the 'Milan pace' line and feeling confident of playing another Italian team (As they won Juventus 2-0, Roma 3-1 and Inter 5-1) but we all know Milan is in a league of its own in Italy. As a fan of both what I can say is that majority of the Arsenal fans are fearing this tie and the main reason for that isn't how Kaka will attack Arsenal, or how Gattuso will lock-down Fabregas but how the Milan experience will prevail and do to Arsenal exactly what they done to United and Pool last season.
All in all I hope for two ties to remember for the years to come.
Arsenal will win.
Steza long time buddy (funny how we posted both our messages at the same time).
Please elaborate on your answer and tell me why you think Arsenal will win. They play with the same flare and style like United and we all saw what happened last year, this isn't Pool or Chelski where the long ball game gets adapted.
I feel the tie will be in the midfield like Gattuso vs Fabregas and Flamini vs Kaka.
Stezagud
22-12-2007, 14:08
Steza long time buddy (funny how we posted both our messages at the same time).
grat minds think alike i guess :)
Please elaborate on your answer and tell me why you think Arsenal will win. They play with the same flare and style like United and we all saw what happened last year, this isn't Pool or Chelski where the long ball game gets adapted.
In my mind its 60-40 Arsenal, its not conclusive but i do feel they will win.
Arsenals style is similar to Utds this year, last year Utd lost to Milan because they hadnt yet bought Hargreaves or Anderson and had no defensive midfielder which renders the comparison of this years styles flawed :)
Arsenal are not a defensive side by any means but they are a very well organised side who attack as a unit, the pace every defender has gives them freedom to push to the half way line safe in the knowledge almost nobody can escape them which allows the rest of the team to stay compact whilst attacking. Thats why they often seem to have 7 or 8 players all hanging round the edge of the oppositions 18 yard box :cool:
Utd also went into the games with the defence decimated, if the same happens to Arsenal i will revise my opinion accordingly but for now im assuming Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Sagna will be the back line. The Centre backs especially are important as Gallas and Toure have an authority which spreads to the rest of the defence and Flamini ahead of them. Its hard to factor in what Pato might do against them but that defence is more than capable of nullifying Milans current strikeforce easily, and neutralising Kaka too.
I feel the tie will be in the midfield like Gattuso vs Fabregas and Flamini vs Kaka.
In midfield if Gattuso does mark Fabregas Arsenal will be thrilled as it will leave room for Hleb who carries just as much of a threat these days. Often Arsenal goals have Fabregas taking the plaudits for the final pass or shot but Hleb is usually the guy breaking from midfield, beating a tackle here and there which opens the space Fabregas then exploits. By the time of the game i doubt Eboue will be in the side as RvP will be fully fit so he will possibly be in a floating midfield attack position with Hleb and Rosicky in a 4-2-3-1 behind Adebeyor?
If Arsenal go to the San Siro with any sort of lead they will be able to tear into Milan on the break and with these players they will do a hell of a lot of damage.
blah... they have quality but just as united had last year. Ronaldo who? Rooney who? Last year i was told how kaka will crush on rio and vidic. Stable, experienced centres... haha, what a joy was watching him fooling those kids. And i can hardly say Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Sagna lineup scares me a bit. Adebayor a striking man? If we can survive barca trio you cant really count adebayor as a serious threat?
The only thing that scares me is their fast midfield (whole team is fast anyway :\ ). They can surely win, but i think it will be due to errors in our backline, including dida. And if they impose their ugly rough contact football style (a lot of kicking to the legs, like they did against villareal for example), that might be a problem too. For kaka specially, like it was for riquelme. But they will get open in the back, they are not used to play against team like milan so chances will be there to take. The question is how will the injuries be then and who will take those chances in the end :)
Stezagud
22-12-2007, 15:47
blah... they have quality but just as united had last year. Ronaldo who? Rooney who? Last year i was told how kaka will crush on rio and vidic. Stable, experienced centres... haha, what a joy was watching him fooling those kids.
Kaka never played against Rio, he was injured. He played a half fit Vidic who'd been injured for 2 months prior to the second leg and missed the first leg. Rio is a damn good centre back but even he cant stop goals from the sidelines :rolleyes:
legolaslivein9t
22-12-2007, 16:36
we can beat arsenal...though they're the most attractive team in Premier league...we can beat Man-U we can beat Liverpool so we can beat arsenal too... we meet arsenal in 1994 and we beat them!!!! :cheers:
In my mind its 60-40 Arsenal, its not conclusive but i do feel they will win.
Arsenals style is similar to Utds this year, last year Utd lost to Milan because they hadnt yet bought Hargreaves or Anderson and had no defensive midfielder which renders the comparison of this years styles flawed :)
Arsenal are not a defensive side by any means but they are a very well organised side who attack as a unit, the pace every defender has gives them freedom to push to the half way line safe in the knowledge almost nobody can escape them which allows the rest of the team to stay compact whilst attacking. Thats why they often seem to have 7 or 8 players all hanging round the edge of the oppositions 18 yard box :cool:
Utd also went into the games with the defence decimated, if the same happens to Arsenal i will revise my opinion accordingly but for now im assuming Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Sagna will be the back line. The Centre backs especially are important as Gallas and Toure have an authority which spreads to the rest of the defence and Flamini ahead of them. Its hard to factor in what Pato might do against them but that defence is more than capable of nullifying Milans current strikeforce easily, and neutralising Kaka too. .
You do have a good point about United not being the same as last year, Hargreaves, Anderson were additions over the summer but I felt Carrick should have done a half decent job over the two legs against Milan. The game he had against Roma at OT he absolutely raped the Roma team and I felt after that game that you didn’t require Hargreaves. It’s true what you have stated about the Arsenal team going forward and I think Milan will have to be aware of the team pushing on, however Milan should make use of the open spaces. I was also thinking about the defense because this was the probably the main reason with Kaka that United lost, in Arsenals case the defense will have a major role to play and I’m not sure when Toure will return from the African Cup of Nations (maybe he wont be back in time??).
In midfield if Gattuso does mark Fabregas Arsenal will be thrilled as it will leave room for Hleb who carries just as much of a threat these days. Often Arsenal goals have Fabregas taking the plaudits for the final pass or shot but Hleb is usually the guy breaking from midfield, beating a tackle here and there which opens the space Fabregas then exploits. By the time of the game i doubt Eboue will be in the side as RvP will be fully fit so he will possibly be in a floating midfield attack position with Hleb and Rosicky in a 4-2-3-1 behind Adebeyor?
If Arsenal go to the San Siro with any sort of lead they will be able to tear into Milan on the break and with these players they will do a hell of a lot of damage.
Hleb has had a great season so far because he often got critizised last season for the lack of input he had to the game, what you’ve stated is very true that Hleb takes the ball forward dribbles and passes on to Fabregas most the times who then either shoots or lays the final pass (bit like the first goal against Slavia), I do feel that for Milan to progress in both tie’s they’ll have to keep both Hleb and Fabregas quiet. The only reason Eboue gets in to the current squad is because of the injury to RVP, Arsene always prefers a 4-4-2 line up when the squad is fully fit. If the squad is fit when they play Milan I would say the line up would be Clichy, Toure, Gallas, Sagna > Hleb, Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky > Adebayor, RVP.
I think playing first at the Grove will probably suit Arsenal as this way they can judge Milan on the type of game they play, adapt and take it from there, I think the first tie will probably settle the game because if Milan take the lead to the San Siro they’ve more or less won the game because it’s very difficult to win against them at the SS, however if Arsenal take the lead to the San Siro then I don’t think they’ll go all out attacking (probably just hold the lead.)
Thanks Steza for explaining your answer, it’s given me a better view on your thoughts and input on the game.
blah... they have quality but just as united had last year. Ronaldo who? Rooney who? Last year i was told how kaka will crush on rio and vidic. Stable, experienced centres... haha, what a joy was watching him fooling those kids. And i can hardly say Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Sagna lineup scares me a bit. Adebayor a striking man? If we can survive barca trio you cant really count adebayor as a serious threat?
The only thing that scares me is their fast midfield (whole team is fast anyway :\ ). They can surely win, but i think it will be due to errors in our backline, including dida. And if they impose their ugly rough contact football style (a lot of kicking to the legs, like they did against villareal for example), that might be a problem too. For kaka specially, like it was for riquelme. But they will get open in the back, they are not used to play against team like milan so chances will be there to take. The question is how will the injuries be then and who will take those chances in the end :)
Peters as Steza has stated you can’t compare this Arsenal team to the United team of last year, you could probably say that this year they are similar in the passing and moving department. I don’t think the defense line up would scare anyone, you can get the best 4 defenders in the world and I doubt they would scare any fan as mostly the attacking players are the ones that bring fear. Hmmmm I know Adebayor might not be anything special but how many Arsenal games have you seen before you’ve judges him? He may not be even as half as good as Henry but he does hold up the ball and he does intimidate the opposition a lot, just read up on what Rio, Terry & Carragher had to say about him (probably the 3 best Cb’s in the PL??) I know you could say that Adebayor is different in the PL to the CL but we shall see.
Almunia isn’t the best keeper out there (I would rather have Dida in goal as he’s got much more experience), he’s known to make mistakes from time to time however he had a pretty good game yesterday. I don’t think Arsenal will play in that rough style, as that was the team of 2006 and this is a total different team now (I know majority of the players are still there but the way they play football is different.)
still almost two months to go; way to early to make analysis as anything could change. We'll see how things go...
Stezagud
23-12-2007, 09:37
You do have a good point about United not being the same as last year, Hargreaves, Anderson were additions over the summer but I felt Carrick should have done a half decent job over the two legs against Milan. The game he had against Roma at OT he absolutely raped the Roma team and I felt after that game that you didn’t require Hargreaves.
Carrick is a decent enough player but he is more a ball playing holding midfielder, he gets by on positional awareness but against Milans midfield you need mobility as well. Between Scholes, Carrick and O Shea there was nobody who can cover the ground at speed and against a weakened defence thats what was needed. Flamini is very similar to Hargreaves in style and he is perhaps the most crucial player in the tie. If he does his job effectively then he will stop Kaka and force the rest of Milans midfield to overcommit in support, leaving the gaps that Rosicky, Hleb, Fabregas will drift into :eek:
I was also thinking about the defense because this was the probably the main reason with Kaka that United lost, in Arsenals case the defense will have a major role to play and I’m not sure when Toure will return from the African Cup of Nations (maybe he wont be back in time??).
Yeah that is a concern for Arsenal as Ivory Coast are expected to do well, if he is out then it will certainly swing the tie back in Milans favour as Arsenals alternatives are nowhere near as strong. Senderos is quite simply a liability ;) and Gilberto is solid at best but untested against a top side in the role.
The only reason Eboue gets in to the current squad is because of the injury to RVP, Arsene always prefers a 4-4-2 line up when the squad is fully fit. If the squad is fit when they play Milan I would say the line up would be Clichy, Toure, Gallas, Sagna > Hleb, Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky > Adebayor, RVP.
yeah that is definately the strongest line up, RvP will probably be asked to drop into midfield to support so it is a flexible XI according to what the game requires.
I think playing first at the Grove will probably suit Arsenal as this way they can judge Milan on the type of game they play, adapt and take it from there, I think the first tie will probably settle the game because if Milan take the lead to the San Siro they’ve more or less won the game because it’s very difficult to win against them at the SS, however if Arsenal take the lead to the San Siro then I don’t think they’ll go all out attacking (probably just hold the lead.)
I've thought that too, playing away second isnt as big a disadvantage to Arsenal as they are experts at counter attack, if they know what they have to do it will make it easier for Wenger to set the side up.
Hmmmm I know Adebayor might not be anything special but how many Arsenal games have you seen before you’ve judges him?
Adebeyor is a quality player and it wouldnt surprise me if next year he is being linked to move to Milan by the very people who doubt him now :cool: He isnt Henry as you say but he gives Arsenal a totally different dimension to recent years. He can join in the passing style as well as any of them but he also gives them an out ball whenever its needed, he has the full package of height, pace, power, skill which means he can play as a lone forward and still carry a threat.
I remember when Drogba was doubted here, the option was touted that he would be part of the Sheva package and the general consensus was that he wasnt worth it! :eek: it takes time for word to spread and Adebeyor will be better appreciated in a year or 2, im certain of that.
I've been telling my wife all year that Milan should get Adebeyor, he's really a developing, strong player. Can you imagine him holding outside the box, letting Pippo and Gila run in, wingers up, many men in the box...ahh!
Milan creamed Man U when everyone thought they were the best, most attractive team, so I'm not going to be alarmist and overboard, but Arsenal has a toughness this year that they haven't in the past. Plus, they are silky and fast as hell, which frightens me more, as we've seem to become a bit inert and growing roots in San Siro.
Anyone remember Inter-Arsenal 1-5 about 2-3 years ago in the group stages? Arsenal just ran riot, Wenger is not afraid to play here, that is what I'm most worried about. Could be an early exit for us.
Kaka never played against Rio, he was injured. He played a half fit Vidic who'd been injured for 2 months prior to the second leg and missed the first leg. Rio is a damn good centre back but even he cant stop goals from the sidelines :rolleyes:
The reality is Rio was scared to death becoz of Kaka. He knew it would be better for him to sit in the stands and see his WEAK side (compared to ACM :5schal: ) being destroyed by the BETTER ACM players. Both Vidic and Rio were fully fit at that time, its just that they are not good enough to beat ACM, accept this fact!!!!!!!
& you know what if ManU again came in the way of ACM, the final result will be much more scarry for ManU :delol:
Nothing personal though :cheers:
Thank God we have got Arsenal:5ok:
I really wanted either Arsenal or Liverpool. ACM will go 2 the Emirates, get a decent result and then in the return leg ACM will show Inter how to handle an Arsenal side at the San Siro :5ok: We destroyed ManU :haha: :haha: and I preseonally feel ManU is a better side than Arsenal, just imagine what might happen to the team of school kids :5horse: :w209:
After we finish Arsenal once and for all, then ideally I would love to see either Liverpool or Man Utd, but realistically they both don't have any chance against Inter & Lyon, so its a pitty that we can't see ACM v Liverpool part-3 :d33:
snake4life
26-12-2007, 16:42
your team was playing much better last year as well, so looking at last years home result against man u is pretty much useelsss, play anything like in serie a, and you mite loose in aggregate by 3 or more goals. Step it up and you just mite pull out of this one, i'm sure arsenal can find a way to stop kaka, if so you guys mtie be screwed worse then imagined. Any way good luck, i always chear on italian teams when they face out of country teams.
Italian teams got the hardest draws, and seems liek roma is just as good as dead in the CL, i'm hoping inter gets through obviussly, and milan although i dought they will beat arsenal also have a chance because this is MILANS tournament the last few years.
Kaka is unstoppable and he can kill Arsenal singlehandedly.
Many people will say Arsenal are strong and that they cannot be defeated.
We will get a good result in London and beat them in Milano.
snake4life
26-12-2007, 16:54
good luck with that. Some posts like this were said about the inter game also. But to be honest please beat arsenal, i hate them, althought they are a very strong technical team that can punish most teams, i still want the italian teams to prevail. But after that i hope you guys loose, so your luck can finally stop in teh CL ;)
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