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mrbeankid22
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Moderator
Rating: 2.92 (12 votes)
Posts: 650
Aug 22, 2:30 am |
Ah, it's that time again... The 2009-10 season has just begun and we have already been spoiled by a bunch of UEFA Champions League and Europa League qualifying matches.
Share your thoughts or past, current, or upcoming fixtures 
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Croatianblood1
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Veteran Member
Rating: 3.67 (6 votes)
Posts: 2706
Aug 22, 5:15 am |
I want to say Real Madrid but at the same time I don't. Just because they have a superstar team doesn't mean they will win it all. Real Madrid has had a poor record in recent Champs League tournaments. Maybe its Arsenal's turn this season? And there is always Barca. Too tough to say at this point.
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mrbeankid22
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Moderator
Rating: 2.92 (12 votes)
Posts: 650
Aug 22, 3:01 pm |
F%#K, I just spent thirty minutes typing six paragraphs about how this seasons champions league may pan out and somehow the tab closed on my browser and its gone  I wish this post editor had an autosave feature like blogger... Damn I knew I should have at least copied it to the clipboard in case my browser crashed.
Anyways, a summary of my thoughts...
Barcelona look solid throughout the preseason and they seem to have shown that they have a lot of quality depth in their squad that they can employ while resting the big-guns when it is necessary. Not that they didn't last year. Ibra adds a new dimension to the potent Barcelona attack. Eto'o will be missed but I just don't think Pep could have had both of the World Class Players in the same squad and have it work out. In my opinion Barcelona are still favorites to at least reach the Champions League Final (everyone knows how tough it is to be a repeat winner these days, but if Barcelona keeps their momentum from last season, and if the Ibrahimovic addition works out as planed, I don't see a reason why they couldn't do the CL Double).
Manchester United... well I'm watching them against Wigan right now and this is some serous end to end stuff. They are fielding their Best XI minus Ferdinand (who is injured), they don't really look too solid at the back and they seem to be lacking that extra element the CR7 gave them. I know that this can all change further into the season (it probably will), but I still don't think they are the same team this year. They are no-longer the completely dominant team in Europe, although they still may be able to win the league or even the Champions league, I'd say almost for sure that there is no longer a chance that they can win both. Everyone nows MU are slow starters so maybe we can judge their CL chances after the group stages are over.
Arsenal have looked very promising in the first two competitive fixtures of their season. The Everton game was an unexpected but pleasant surprise, I was hoping for a one or two-nil win. The game against Celtic also a big step for this Arsenal team. Considering that Parkhead had been a European fortress, Arsenal managed to come out of Glasgow with two shiny (but I'll admit lucky) away goals. Arsenal still needs to shore up the DM spot if they are to be serious title and CL contenders. Song has been brilliant in the preseason, but we need more depth in the role. Diaby and Denilson can fill in for a game or two, but Arsene needs to sign a true DM to back-up Song. Considering he will be gone for at least two months due to the ACN anyways, and most likely even longer cumulatively throughout the season due to inevitable knocks and minor injuries (and that's a fortunate outlook). Arsenal have been very strong in the Champions league as of late, their trouble comes when they face English opposition (Liverpool QF 2007-08, Manchester United SF 2008-09).
Madrid have looked potent in attack, at least against MLS sides and the other small European side they played in the preseason  In all seriousness I still need to see Madrid play top quality opposition before deciding on what their CL Chances might be... Their attack should be very powerful if they can get it clicking. I still they are a bit shaky in defense, and they will be exposed, especially against a side such as Barcelona. At least Madristas can still count on Casillas to be the same solid World Class keeper he has been in the last few years.
At the moment, I would say that Chelsea are the English favorites for taking the Champions League. They have only added to their side in the off-season and they looked solid. No much else to say about Chelski, fans should just hope that the mid-season breakdown from last season doesn't repeat at a critical time this season.
Liverpool... I expect them to be in the Quarters at least. They don't seem to have the same anchor that Xabi Alonso gave them, Aquilani is a bit of a different player. Not the same side from a season or two ago I'd say, but still contenders.
I'd say the darkhorse of this competition will come from Italy. Juventus and Inter both have quality sides that can knockout any side mentioned above with the right game plan and a few breaks.
Lyon looked impressive against Anderlecht, I'd expect to see them make it into the knockout stages of the CL as longed as they are not in a group with two of the sides mentioned above.
That is about all for now. I guess I will check back in after the qualifying fixtures have elapsed their second legs.
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Rome_Leader
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The Italian Mod
Rating: 4.89 (9 votes)
Posts: 1572
Aug 28, 2:13 pm |
The draw's out. I'm pleased both with Chelsea's relatively easy group, and the fact that Barca has to tangle with Inter.
Group A
Bayern Munich
Juventus
Bordeaux
Maccabi Haifa
Group B
Manchester United
CSKA Moscow
Besiktas
Wolfsburg
Group C
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Marseille
Zurich
Group D
Chelsea F.C.
Porto
Atlético Madrid
Apoel
Group E
Liverpool F.C.
Lyon
Fiorentina
Debrecen
Group F
F.C. Barcelona
Inter Milan
Dynamo Kyiv
Rubin
Group G
F.C. Sevilla
Rangers
Stuttgart
Uniera Urzcieni
Group H
Arsenal
AZ Alkmaar
Olympiacos
Standard Liege
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Only other comment is that I'm glad to see Oba Martins finally get to play in the CL with Wolfsburg. Hopefully he works some magic.
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Triskaidekaphobia: The unnatural fear of the number 13.
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You can call me Scott or "Jose Fantastico".
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NewBornProdigy
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Moderator
Rating: 4.17 (12 votes)
Posts: 1962
Aug 28, 2:25 pm |
| Rome_Leader wrote: |
Group B
Manchester United
CSKA Moscow
Besiktas
Wolfsburg
Group H
Arsenal
AZ Alkmaar
Olympiacos
Standard Liege |
What ridiculously easy groups... If either we or United don't qualify... I'll... I'll... Its so bad I don't even know what it is yet
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soccer11
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Admin
Posts: 3944
Aug 28, 5:18 pm |
| NewBornProdigy wrote: | | Rome_Leader wrote: |
Group B
Manchester United
CSKA Moscow
Besiktas
Wolfsburg
Group H
Arsenal
AZ Alkmaar
Olympiacos
Standard Liege |
What ridiculously easy groups... If either we or United don't qualify... I'll... I'll... Its so bad I don't even know what it is yet |
I'm just not happy with the far travel.. going to turkey and moscow is not ideal.
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Jboogey
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Senior Member
Posts: 119
Aug 28, 9:46 pm |
Yea that is the downside that i'm seeing...and i'm willing to bet that at this time of year, moscow at least will be freezing cold! Arsenal clearly have the easiest group i guess that's great for NPB but hopefully my team get through with their easy group as well...they have been looking shaky though.
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MUFC1994
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Veteran Member
Rating: 2.50 (2 votes)
Posts: 998
Aug 28, 10:07 pm |
| Jboogey wrote: | | Yea that is the downside that i'm seeing...and i'm willing to bet that at this time of year, moscow at least will be freezing cold! Arsenal clearly have the easiest group i guess that's great for NPB but hopefully my team get through with their easy group as well...they have been looking shaky though. |
Your team is MANU right? we have a pretty tough group. We have to travel pretty far and we have to play wolfsburg who could give us soem trouble. I think we will advance, I don't think it will be easy though
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Rome_Leader
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The Italian Mod
Rating: 4.89 (9 votes)
Posts: 1572
Aug 28, 10:11 pm |
| MUFC1994 wrote: | | Jboogey wrote: | | Yea that is the downside that i'm seeing...and i'm willing to bet that at this time of year, moscow at least will be freezing cold! Arsenal clearly have the easiest group i guess that's great for NPB but hopefully my team get through with their easy group as well...they have been looking shaky though. |
Your team is MANU right? we have a pretty tough group. We have to travel pretty far and we have to play wolfsburg who could give us soem trouble. I think we will advance, I don't think it will be easy though |
Relatively though, it's pretty easy. What would you rather. Fly off to Moscow, or have a short trip to face Chelsea or Real or something? Get real. Wolfsburg are good, but no match for a motivated Manchester. If you guys don't fly to the next round, it will be a disappointment.
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All roads lead to Rome.
Triskaidekaphobia: The unnatural fear of the number 13.
^^Most of Ballack's opposition have this phobia.^^
You can call me Scott or "Jose Fantastico".
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Jboogey
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Senior Member
Posts: 119
Aug 28, 10:43 pm |
| MUFC1994 wrote: | | Jboogey wrote: | | Yea that is the downside that i'm seeing...and i'm willing to bet that at this time of year, moscow at least will be freezing cold! Arsenal clearly have the easiest group i guess that's great for NPB but hopefully my team get through with their easy group as well...they have been looking shaky though. |
Your team is MANU right? we have a pretty tough group. We have to travel pretty far and we have to play wolfsburg who could give us soem trouble. I think we will advance, I don't think it will be easy though |
Yes they are my team however Rome is right when you think of it like that but wolfsburg is still a good team and like they say in fifa, games aren't won on paper andy!... Man U could still get their asses handed to them, i've seen too much dissapointment over the pass year to blow this off. I'll admit that it's unlikely though.
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shahensha
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Veteran Member
Rating: 3.29 (7 votes)
Posts: 1738
Aug 29, 3:52 pm |
wait madrid and milan are in the same group? huh inter and barca are in the same group too?
very nice of uefa to make it awkward for kaka and ibrahimovich right away.
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Rome_Leader
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The Italian Mod
Rating: 4.89 (9 votes)
Posts: 1572
Aug 29, 4:02 pm |
| shahensha wrote: | wait madrid and milan are in the same group? huh inter and barca are in the same group too?
very nice of uefa to make it awkward for kaka and ibrahimovich right away. |
It IS a systematically random draw. :p
_________________
All roads lead to Rome.
Triskaidekaphobia: The unnatural fear of the number 13.
^^Most of Ballack's opposition have this phobia.^^
You can call me Scott or "Jose Fantastico".
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mint
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Veteran Member
Rating: 3.14 (7 votes)
Posts: 1497
Aug 29, 6:51 pm |
| Rome_Leader wrote: | | shahensha wrote: | wait madrid and milan are in the same group? huh inter and barca are in the same group too?
very nice of uefa to make it awkward for kaka and ibrahimovich right away. |
It IS a systematically random draw. :p |
Yeah the draw is totally random.
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shahensha
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Veteran Member
Rating: 3.29 (7 votes)
Posts: 1738
Nov 05, 3:09 am |
This has been an interesting champions league. Sevilla, Arsenal, Manchester, Chelsea, Bourduex, Lyon.
Did anyone expect Bourdeux to make it over juve and bayern? and uhh rafa, what are you doing with your life?
Milan and Madrid lead their group with 7 points and Marseille close behind with 6
However the one that will go down to the wire is Group F. It honestly was the most difficult of the groups and certainly has proven it considering there is only 2 points seperate the top from the bottom. Makes sense. All the participants are champions of their respective leagues. It is an epitome of a champions league group.
Inter with their dramatic victory have taken to the top. Rubin is levelled with Barcelona on points but takes the second spot on head to head. They defend well. Infact they only defend and counter. They pulled off what chelsea couldnt, park the bus and win at Barca. Also i am getting frustrated with Zlatan's ability to control any pass, get my hopes up and fail at the finishing part.
In simpler terms. Unless Barcelona doesnt beat Inter and then atleast tie against dynamo kiev, the reigning champions will have an embrassing early exit.
Just so fate would have an extra chuckle, the crucial inter game is a couple of days before el clasico.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovich
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