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Post by twoheadedragon on Dec 11, 2009 15:51:54 GMT
We are now down to the last 16, here they are: Group winnersBordeaux (Group A) Manchester United (Group B) Real Madrid (Group C) Chelsea (Group D) Fiorentina (Group E) Barcelona (Group F) Sevilla (Group G) Arsenal (Group H) Group runners-upBayern Munich (Group A) CSKA Moscow (Group B) Milan (Group C) Porto (Group D) Lyon (Group E) Internazionale (Group F) Stuttgart (Group G) Olympiakos (Group H) *** The Draw will take place on December the 18th, it'll be interesting to see who plays whom...  |
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Post by Elliot Kane on Dec 11, 2009 18:09:24 GMT
Liverpool embarrassed Britain hugely by failing to qualify. Nonetheless, there are a lot of awesome teams left in and it's always worth seeing who wins. And who gets to the last eight, as that's a great way of telling who has the best league this year...
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Post by twoheadedragon on Dec 12, 2009 14:00:00 GMT
Indeed, quite a disappointing result for Liverpool: they aren't having a very good season at all so far. I think just about the only saving grace would be if they can finish in the Top 4 of the EPL, if not they're probably gonna get on Benitez's case, perhaps even fire him. And they'll bring in some new players, perhaps even get rid of some old ones, etc.
It will be very interesting to see the draw, may it be a fun one! We've got teams from England (3), France (2), Germany (2), Greece (1), Italy (3), Portugal (1), Russia (1), and Spain (3).
May the best team win!
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Post by twoheadedragon on Dec 18, 2009 13:42:36 GMT
The draw has been made! Here it is: VfB Stuttgart vs FC Barcelona: An unlucky draw for the German side, Barcelona have the clear advantage. But there's always the luck factor... Olympiacos vs Girondins Bordeaux A very fair match-up, hard to say who'd win. My guess is that the Greek side have a slight advantage, but it's hard to say. Internazionale vs Chelsea Chelsea have the obvious advantage in terms of squad superiority, but let's not forget Inter's secret weapon: Jose Mourinho, who coached Chelsea a few short years ago. Bayern München vs Fiorentina An pretty easy draw for the German side, they should make quick work of the Italians. CSKA Moskva vs Sevilla FC Hm, another one that's not so easy to decide. On paper, perhaps Sevilla have the advantage, but there's always the chance that the Russians could upset them. We'll see what happens, but I think it'll be tough for both teams. Olympique Lyon vs Real Madrid The French side have a massive disadvantage on paper (and in the bookies' opinions), but here's one big weakness Real Madrid have: a lack of squad unity. Remember how they were pulled apart 4-0 by a little-known team this season. FC Porto vs Arsenal Arsenal should win, but given their Mercuriality, they could easily lose as well. But I think they can still pull it off. AC Milan vs Manchester United Easy: MU to crush AC Milan. So what if Milan have Beckham? He's just one man, and getting old at that... |
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Post by Ubereil on Dec 18, 2009 14:11:57 GMT
VfB Stuttgart vs FC Barcelona: Barcelona won't even need their best players for this one.
Olympiacos vs Girondins Bordeaux
Bordeaux impressed in their group, winning five and drawing one in a group including both Juventus and Bayer München. Olympiacos would have finnished last if they'd been the fourth team in that group. Bordeaux will go through.
Internazionale vs Chelsea
Chelsea starts away and they have the better squad. It'll be a tie between two not very entertaining teams where Chelsea's weight will be the deciding factor. Remember that Jose Mourinho never won the CL and Carlo Ancelotti's won it twice.
Bayern München vs Fiorentina
Fiorentina kicked out Liverpool so they're obviously not a bad team. Bayern is only third in the league so they're not at their best this season either. Bayern is the favorite but Fiorentina can very well take a suprise win.
CSKA Moskva vs Sevilla FC
Another open tie betwen two teams I'm not sure where they stand strengthwise. Sevilla's not a bad team, but will they underestimate CSKA?
Olympique Lyon vs Real Madrid
Lyon's not that bad and Real's not that good. But Real will still win because at least one of their star players will do one thing right at some point which will result in the decisive goal.
FC Porto vs Arsenal
Another open game. If it's Arsenal's day(s) they'll win, but you never know with them. They're favorites, anyway.
AC Milan vs Manchester United
United starts away which makes them pretty clear favorites. AC Milan's not one of Europe's greatest teams anymore, they're even struggling to be one of the greatest teams in Italy at the moment! They do have a couple of players who at least used to be world class though (and Becks isn't the main one there).
Übereil
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Post by twoheadedragon on Dec 18, 2009 14:35:38 GMT
@ Ube: A far more refined analysis than mine, thanks. Looks like we agree on the results of almost all the games (with the exception of my underestimating Bordeaux, and Fiorentina ;D ). The reason I mention Ol' Becks is because on the Yahoo! UK site, they make him sound so important, when actually (as you rightly pointed out) he's hardly one of their main players, coming in on loan from LA Galaxy.  I wonder what the Brits have to say about this (opinion, EK?). |
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Post by Elliot Kane on Dec 18, 2009 16:37:57 GMT
Becks is important because his passing ability can change the course of a game. He's still peerless when it comes to that, which is why Capello keeps playing him for England. Milan vrs United may thus not be quite so open and shut as you'd expect - though I still expect United to take it on the day. Beyond that, I think the two of you have done a great job of summarising the teams already  |
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Post by Ubereil on Dec 18, 2009 17:14:45 GMT
When surrounded by pepole who does his running for him I'm sure Becks can still be a big asset to a team. The problem is that everyone else in Milan is just as old as he is! ;D
Übereil
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Post by Jackyau on Dec 18, 2009 17:18:36 GMT
Thks all the sum up quickly Just a little correction to Ubereil Jose Mourinho did win CL since his was in FC Porto. ;D Perhaps both teams underwhelming on that year so you forgot. ;D |
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Post by Ubereil on Dec 18, 2009 18:02:24 GMT
DOH! Well, he never won it with Chelsea anyway.  And he won the final against Monaco, so that wasn't exactly the greatest round of CL either... But still, winning CL with Porto is strong.But they have the main advantage of being the underdog. He can't play that card with the Manchester United of Italy, it's just not possible. Übereil |
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And he won the final against Monaco, so that wasn't exactly the greatest round of CL either... But still, winning CL with Porto is strong.But they have the main advantage of being the underdog. He can't play that card with the Manchester United of Italy, it's just not possible.