Champions League Draw for Last 16

First topic message reminder :

Galatasaray v Schalke

Celtic v Juventus

Arsenal v Bayern Munich

Shakhtar Donetsk v Borussia Dortmund

AC Milan v Barcelona

Real Madrid v Manchester United

Valencia v Paris St Germain

Porto v Malaga

Ent wrote:Barca could well turn them over in 3 weeks.

As for united, concede first and we could be in a lot of trouble - I'll say it again, we will regret RVP fluffing that volley.

Ronaldo had a header which he should have scored as well, could have easily been 2-2.

To be fair he was under pressure and RVP had a free volley with no one on him 6 yards from goal.

Both teams had other chances that could have gone in. Welbeck, Contreau etc.

I do indeed think RVP's misses will come back to haunt United. Typical that United's difference maker is potentially the reason you may go out. Mourinho will be thinking, remove United and with the possibility of Barcelona going out.....it well and truly could be on for him.

I just can't believe that David Villa is benched. He offers a more than genuine goalthreat to Iniesta up front on that wide left area, so removing Iniesta into midfield instead of Fabregas is the move I would make. Also Xavi is not the same player anymore. I have been saying it more than a year or so and doesn't impact and control games like he has done with ease in the past. I do think that Barcelona can turn the tie though. Milan away from home in europe are poor, just look back to last season when Arsenal were 4-0 down and then won 3-0 in the second leg.

Azzy Mahmood wrote:I'm picking:

Schalke - looking okay
Juventus - yes
Bayern Munich - yes
Borussia Dortmund - looking okay
Barcelona - looking shaky
Real Madrid - looking okay
Valencia - have a chance
Malaga - have a chance

So 2/8 are almost nailed on to get through, 3 more are looking okay, 2 have a chance, and only Barca are looking potentially out of it. Not bad predicting after one leg...these second legs will have some great football in them!

United are in a very dangerous position to be honest, no matter who scores first it doesn't look great. If they score first it means Madrid will come out of their cage and probably get the away goal smashing the game open, United will then have to chase it, knowing that they have to win the tie to go through with Madrid knowing a 2-2 draw or above would be enough. If Madrid score first, United have their away goals wiped away and need to chase the game leaving their defence open.

united have got to win- they cant set up to win the tie 0-0 or 1-1

Utd are imo favourites. Madrid have to score, and probably will but Utd will get a couple.

The team I would play tonight (provided Vidic doesn't play):

Jones is going to be a huge miss tonight. He was monumental defensively in Madrid

gonna be a great game..


cant wait

Whatever happens, Utd have done exceptionally well against a team that, the strikers aside, is much better on paper.

My prediction tonight because I'm biased:

Utd to go through

I think Utd will go through 4-3 on aggregate meaning a 3-2 win tonight

Funnily enough I past a betting shop that had "£10 on United 3-2 Madrid pays out £340" on the outside.

On a side note it'll be interesting to see who starts in goal for Real tonight.

33'/1

thats good odds.

saw 23/1 on that earlier!

I fear for United tonight, just got a feeling with Mourinho and Madrid. RVP's misses could be crucial from the first leg, stopping Ronaldo on the counter-attack is impossible over ninety minutes.

Just curious to know, if anybody knows, but what effect will Arsenal & Manchester United going out before the QF's do for the english coefficient ratings for the champions league. I remember hearing that this poor form shown by City over two years and Chelsea's exit along with United going out a the group stage last year means that the EPL could lose it's four CL slots by 2015. Any truth in this?

Almost no chance of that john

current coefficient scores are as follows

spain 85.168
England 79.392
Germany 76.328
Italy 62.314

the top 3 get 4 spots and then 4-6 get 3!

as you can see England are 17 pts above Italy in 4th, and the coefficent is based on 5 years totals.

in two years time the PL's coefficent will still be 12 pts above italy(by adding the last 3 years scores in total)

I dont even think its mathmatically possibly by 2015 tbh

Actually it is mathmatically possible- but by my very quick calculations italian clubs would need there best efforts for donkies in the next two years. man u and arsernal would have to lose this time and all 4 teams go out in the groups or close to next year.

Cheers just wanted to know what the situation is.

Could be a masterstroke but Fergie has made some very odd decisions for this match.

Kagawa and Rooney out (best players at Norwich), Nani and Giggs in...

Utd are out. Game over.

too sentimental with giggs and this appearance thing. got to get the job done and be professional, yes he trusts giggs but he's not 25 anymore......this is madrid. nani is extremely shocking, yes the boy's got talent but he's too inconsistant. maybe he's been told, produce tonight and you've got a new contract in the morning, wouldnt surprise me from fergie with his man management, could be a masterstroke, could easily blow up in his face.

rooney out is astonishing. i feared for united tonight, i fear even more now. should be one hell of a game

Is Rooney carrying a knock? And Nani? Strange...

Still wouldn't be surprised to see Utd progress.

roney is out!!


oh dear

Massive gamble from Fergie. No rooney. RVP hasn't been 100% fit and is running the front line on his own. Nani is not a team player. Vidic has hardly played.

I'm massively suprised by this lineup but I suppose you just have to trust Fergie but I am a lot less confident than I was an hour or so ago.

But why would you play Ronaldo's biatch against him? I don't get it.

Jones is the big miss though. He and Varane will be the world's best CBs in a couple of years.

Rooney out isn't much of a surprise to me. First half against Norwich he was abysmal, and 2nd half he profited from a tiring defence. Plus although he'll put in a shift he doesnt really produce in the "big" games.

I dont think we're in a position to question Sir Alex. I'm glad Giggs is playing. He'll be up to it. No problem.

Olly wrote:Rooney out isn't much of a surprise to me. First half against Norwich he was abysmal, and 2nd half he profited from a tiring defence. Plus although he'll put in a shift he doesn't really produce in the "big" games.

I dont think we're in a position to question Sir Alex. I'm glad Giggs is playing. He'll be up to it. No problem.

https://youtu.be/90t_zOk1wTg?t=34s

Oh, Higuain > Benzema. Ta ra for now.

The Special Juan wrote:

Olly wrote:Rooney out isn't much of a surprise to me. First half against Norwich he was abysmal, and 2nd half he profited from a tiring defence. Plus although he'll put in a shift he doesn't really produce in the "big" games.

I dont think we're in a position to question Sir Alex. I'm glad Giggs is playing. He'll be up to it. No problem.

https://youtu.be/90t_zOk1wTg?t=34s

Didn't say "never" know did I

Good first half from Utd. Gameplan perfect so far.

Madrid need to get Khedira off. He's been abysmal so far

yeah perfect play by united to be honest..

and its 1-0

and its one nil at palace and watford are losing and leicester and cardiff drawing!!

good stuff

Nani sent off for a high boot

That's a joke red card. I smell a rat.

I never, ever, ever want to see Nani again. Ever.

oh dear that ref is dodgy

i didn't even think it was that high tbh both were jumping and caught him on the arm/hand

I have to saw I was sat here thinking...never a yellow card...

But red???

What a disgraceful desicion

come on United

Years ago high boot used to be for head height for head injuries, now it's applied at chest height.

The thing is Nani is just trying to kick the ball. The opponent comes in from miles away, sprints to get there, then dives. Nani wasn't kicking at him at all. As I say never even a yellow card.

When I say dives that probably isn't right. I mean there is contact, but certainly made the most of it I mean.

Well that's a great save by Rafael

Absolutely ridiculous decision by the ref. Unbelievable.

To be fair Man U had the luck with the fluke goal. And they probably a notch lucky to get a draw in Spain too.

no luck mate.. if you whack the ball around the pen area it can go in..

but unlucky sending off. no other ref would have done that

this would be a fantastic victory should united hold on

Extra time?

1-1 Modric from 25 yards cracker of a goal

I did post that before the goal, for the record!

Less confident now, saw the equaliser at 70-80 min.

Man U are in big trouble here because of the away goals rule. If Madrid score again in a minute they would need a miracle.