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Just thought it would be nice to point out (although I'm sure you'd all noticed anyway) that the three english clubs competing in the Champion's League this year all topped their groups.
The winners of the other groups were:
2 French, 2 Italian and 1 Spanish club.
It is interesting to see those two french clubs do so well, especialy when pitted against the likes of Bayern, Depo and PSV.
The Italians don't seem to be faring as well though, Juve and Milan both qualifying easily thanks to very light groups, while Lazio and Inter both crash out in disappointing fashion.
Juve aren't a particularly strong team, as United proved in last year's competition. Anyone who can attack well and keep tight should be able to edge them out.
But anyway, three english clubs through to the knockout stages, all as group winners, with the following teams as possible opponents:
Bayern
Lokomotiv
Deportivo
Real Sociedad
Stuttgart
Porto
Sparta Prague
Celta Vigo
I imagine group winners can't be drawn against clubs they played in the group stages at this point. All in all, some relatively (in european terms) light sides in there, and hopefully at least two of the teams can make it through to the QFs (one of them being Utd =D). Would be nice for Arsenal to make it that far, gives them bragging rights for the next few seasons as they crash out at the group stages again.
The winners of the other groups were:
2 French, 2 Italian and 1 Spanish club.
It is interesting to see those two french clubs do so well, especialy when pitted against the likes of Bayern, Depo and PSV.
The Italians don't seem to be faring as well though, Juve and Milan both qualifying easily thanks to very light groups, while Lazio and Inter both crash out in disappointing fashion.
Juve aren't a particularly strong team, as United proved in last year's competition. Anyone who can attack well and keep tight should be able to edge them out.
But anyway, three english clubs through to the knockout stages, all as group winners, with the following teams as possible opponents:
Bayern
Lokomotiv
Deportivo
Real Sociedad
Stuttgart
Porto
Sparta Prague
Celta Vigo
I imagine group winners can't be drawn against clubs they played in the group stages at this point. All in all, some relatively (in european terms) light sides in there, and hopefully at least two of the teams can make it through to the QFs (one of them being Utd =D). Would be nice for Arsenal to make it that far, gives them bragging rights for the next few seasons as they crash out at the group stages again.
I would expect all the group winners to progress.
Well done to Man United (although, there was `No Way´ this team were ever gonna fail to qualif, really, was there!)
Well done to Arsénal (...as much as it pains me to say it, with my intense HATE for the club - but they are English.... apparently!)
But I don't know if I can say the same thing for Chelsea....
They're not genuine! They've `bought´ their way into the knockout-stages, just like they will have bought their way to the Premiership!
It's very bad for the game. The more we see of this Abramovich and his crazy spending, and the more it influences others, the sooner we will see Football transformed fully from Sport to more of a `Business´. :P
And as for the draws (which have clearly been fixed in recent times), I wouldn't be surprised if `Chelski´ were drawn against Lokomotiv Moscow, Arsénal met Deportivo (again!) and United get Bayern Munich (for "old-times" sake). Really, it wouldn't surprise me if this was done to "improve interest" in the competition, or something.
(I somehow can't see United "missing" David Beckham and Real Madrid in the semi's -provided both teams get that far- either...! :P)
Well done to Arsénal (...as much as it pains me to say it, with my intense HATE for the club - but they are English.... apparently!)
But I don't know if I can say the same thing for Chelsea....
They're not genuine! They've `bought´ their way into the knockout-stages, just like they will have bought their way to the Premiership!
It's very bad for the game. The more we see of this Abramovich and his crazy spending, and the more it influences others, the sooner we will see Football transformed fully from Sport to more of a `Business´. :P
And as for the draws (which have clearly been fixed in recent times), I wouldn't be surprised if `Chelski´ were drawn against Lokomotiv Moscow, Arsénal met Deportivo (again!) and United get Bayern Munich (for "old-times" sake). Really, it wouldn't surprise me if this was done to "improve interest" in the competition, or something.
(I somehow can't see United "missing" David Beckham and Real Madrid in the semi's -provided both teams get that far- either...! :P)
Not to mention losing 2 games at the san siro. Shocking.
Although you cant deny that club boogers are a class act.
Although you cant deny that club boogers are a class act.
Oh, and did anyone see the stats in AC Milan's group.
They went through on top of the group scoring only 4 goals and having 1+ for goal difference. How I laughed.
They went through on top of the group scoring only 4 goals and having 1+ for goal difference. How I laughed.
Juve have just had a bad spell the last couple of weeks. They were the only unbeaten team both domestically and in Europe before they lost three straight, but then won 7-0 with their second team in the match after. As you said, just some freak results.
They're still perfectly capable of winning the Champions League, especially now seeing as they'll get one of those "easy" teams you've listed. Because really, all of them should go out, as Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus are all better than any of those. The only team that isn't is Lyon. All group winners should advance.
And then, if Juve get Lyon, they'll go to the semi-finals, where they last year defeated Real Madrid. So, then anything can happen.
There will definitely be an English team or two in the semis, though, and then probably the final too.
They're still perfectly capable of winning the Champions League, especially now seeing as they'll get one of those "easy" teams you've listed. Because really, all of them should go out, as Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus are all better than any of those. The only team that isn't is Lyon. All group winners should advance.
And then, if Juve get Lyon, they'll go to the semi-finals, where they last year defeated Real Madrid. So, then anything can happen.
There will definitely be an English team or two in the semis, though, and then probably the final too.
Freak result yes, but i'm hardly basing my view of Juve's ability on 1 game. They got to the champions league final last year (knocking out the "invincible" Real Madrid) and Juve have been serie A champions for two seasons running now. A major feat considering 4 different teams had won it in the previous 4 seasons. Although its Roma's this season. They are too good.
Oh, and Monaco actually won 8-3.
Oh, and Monaco actually won 8-3.
I do realise that Juve won 7-0 last night. I also realise that Monaco hammered Deportivo 8-1, and Arsenal beat Inter by something daft like 5-1, AWAY.
Realistic results?
Freak results happen now and then, and it's nice when they do, but you can't base a team's abilities on one such game. And didn;t Juve get slapped at home by Inter the other week too?
Realistic results?
Freak results happen now and then, and it's nice when they do, but you can't base a team's abilities on one such game. And didn;t Juve get slapped at home by Inter the other week too?
Juve not strong?
You do realise they won 7-0 last night? And they hardly had a light group, with a team that took Real to the last day of the season for the championship. Galatasary who can beat anyone on thier day, especially at home. And Olympiacos who had been until two seasons ago unbeateaten at home in the champions leage until United won there.
Although they do have a problem in playing Ferrara in defence. Kinda like when we played Blanc...
You do realise they won 7-0 last night? And they hardly had a light group, with a team that took Real to the last day of the season for the championship. Galatasary who can beat anyone on thier day, especially at home. And Olympiacos who had been until two seasons ago unbeateaten at home in the champions leage until United won there.
Although they do have a problem in playing Ferrara in defence. Kinda like when we played Blanc...
Just thought it would be nice to point out (although I'm sure you'd all noticed anyway) that the three english clubs competing in the Champion's League this year all topped their groups.
The winners of the other groups were:
2 French, 2 Italian and 1 Spanish club.
It is interesting to see those two french clubs do so well, especialy when pitted against the likes of Bayern, Depo and PSV.
The Italians don't seem to be faring as well though, Juve and Milan both qualifying easily thanks to very light groups, while Lazio and Inter both crash out in disappointing fashion.
Juve aren't a particularly strong team, as United proved in last year's competition. Anyone who can attack well and keep tight should be able to edge them out.
But anyway, three english clubs through to the knockout stages, all as group winners, with the following teams as possible opponents:
Bayern
Lokomotiv
Deportivo
Real Sociedad
Stuttgart
Porto
Sparta Prague
Celta Vigo
I imagine group winners can't be drawn against clubs they played in the group stages at this point. All in all, some relatively (in european terms) light sides in there, and hopefully at least two of the teams can make it through to the QFs (one of them being Utd =D). Would be nice for Arsenal to make it that far, gives them bragging rights for the next few seasons as they crash out at the group stages again.
The winners of the other groups were:
2 French, 2 Italian and 1 Spanish club.
It is interesting to see those two french clubs do so well, especialy when pitted against the likes of Bayern, Depo and PSV.
The Italians don't seem to be faring as well though, Juve and Milan both qualifying easily thanks to very light groups, while Lazio and Inter both crash out in disappointing fashion.
Juve aren't a particularly strong team, as United proved in last year's competition. Anyone who can attack well and keep tight should be able to edge them out.
But anyway, three english clubs through to the knockout stages, all as group winners, with the following teams as possible opponents:
Bayern
Lokomotiv
Deportivo
Real Sociedad
Stuttgart
Porto
Sparta Prague
Celta Vigo
I imagine group winners can't be drawn against clubs they played in the group stages at this point. All in all, some relatively (in european terms) light sides in there, and hopefully at least two of the teams can make it through to the QFs (one of them being Utd =D). Would be nice for Arsenal to make it that far, gives them bragging rights for the next few seasons as they crash out at the group stages again.