Champions League Group Stages

First topic message reminder :

The draw is tonight and we could have some potentially crazy strong groups, Manchester City have a 50% chance of being in the same group as Bayern Munich or Barcelona.

What is the tie everybody wants to see in the group stages?

That's disappointing, would much rather have had Juventus in the latter stages.

Don't see why. Fact is 1 win against FC Copenhagen was the best result they could muster in 6 games which is very poor and undeserving of a spot in the next round.

I understand that they don't deserve to be there, the table is proof of that, they just have more players I'd rather see and a bigger reputation.

As the old saying goes, "paper doesn't win a football match" which is very true of this Juve side. They had the team to get to at least the 1/4 final and although in a tough group, they should have progressed. Very poor indeed.

Galatasary through to the knock out stages again and all credit to them. Did themselves proud last year and are a dangerous side, especially if Snjeider and Drogba carry on playing like they are.

Anyone know when the draw is?

No team is going to want to get dortmund of citeh !!

WE could have a couple of great knock outs

December 16th as usual

TopHat24/7 wrote:Don't see why. Fact is 1 win against FC Copenhagen was the best result they could muster in 6 games which is very poor and undeserving of a spot in the next round.

Agree, embarrassing. Wonder how long Tevez stays there before spitting his dummy out.

Galatasaray deserve credit for sticking in there & qualifying. They got smashed for six by Madrid, which tells you everything about their chances of reaching a QF though.

Bayer Leverkusen
Galatasaray
Olympiakos
Man City

John wrote:

TopHat24/7 wrote:Don't see why. Fact is 1 win against FC Copenhagen was the best result they could muster in 6 games which is very poor and undeserving of a spot in the next round.

Agree, embarrassing. Wonder how long Tevez stays there before spitting his dummy out.

Is THAT where he went??!!!

Was having this discussion with a mate the other day, couldn't for the life of us remember where CT had gone, just knew he left Citeh.

He's a dummy-spitter though, in the true Anelka mould, so agree he may not be there long...

BIg games tonight.

Napoli are going to really give arsernal a go! Benetiz is a top cup manager

I can see Basel getting a draw v Schalke and just going through!

Yeah, he went to Juventus to form a partnership with Llorente, which they thought would strike fear across Europe. Domestically it seems to be working but not in the Champions League.

Yeah, I'm sure as soon Kia Joorabchian needs some money, Tevez will be off to Boca Juniors.

The grass isnt allways greener Mr Tevez!!

With the amount of money he makes now Mysti i suspect he could hire someone to make it as green as he wants   

Lewandowski 1-0, putting himself in the shop window

Strange game for Arsernal so far.

I can understand why they are playing this way - but they look pretty rubbish like this

Weidenfeller is god awful, no wonder Low didn't want to cap him   

Neuer, Adler & Ter Stegen will be German's three I'd expect. Weidenfeller is awful.

I'm not watching the Arsenal game but I expect they would be very happy with a draw & getting out of Naples ASAP & preparing for Saturday.

Your not missing much I'm on the verge of gouging my eyes out with boredom, or alternatively changing the match.

yep going over to chelsea-this is a stop start game..

Fair play to arsernal though. Doing what is needed

Yeah, for Arsenal it's all about keeping that clean sheet. Marseille down to 10 men now, Dortmund should do them second half.

Looks like Zenit will be qualifying. Tough away trip/travelling for someone in the second round.

Diego Costa continuing his fine form this season for Atletico. Barcelona comfortably winning

Zenit then give away a calamitous goal..

Celtic are so so so bad   8 goals conceded since they last scored one, Ambrose wouldn't look out of place in a pub league game.

monty junior wrote:Zenit then give away a calamitous goal.

They probably got told Porto are being thrashed & lost concentration   

Schalke/Basel still up in the air. Kind of want Basel to qualify because of them beating Chelsea twice

Austria Vienna now 2-1 ahead of Zenit who could qualify with 6 points the lowest ever to get in to the final 16. They should be banned for being so completely useless.

Some of these groups are embarrassing. United's was another. It's no surprise to me to see United thriving in Europe, beating Leverkusen by 5 & then struggling in the much more competitive n higher intensity EPL games.

This competition never gets going until the second round.

Football is unfair, Basel going out, even though they beat Chelsea twice. Zenit now 3-1 down   

Anyone see the second Schalke goal, what the hell, about 4 players offside too   

Ref has had a mare

BVB in big trouble now

Arsenal down to 10 men, ****ing idiot Arteta   

Dortmund could be out of the comp...

Arteta is a weak link in the squad, absolutely bullied by Barkley in the previous game.

Dortmund's season goes from bad to worse. Their defence is terrible & they've just lost confidence this season. Already lost the domestic league & now possibly entering the Europa League. Lewandowski will want out ASAP. Klopp to United?   

Grosskeutz wow!

Arsenal second in group?

A twist.

Arsernal have messed this up and will finish second..

Shocking from Arsenal. People will jump on this & be saying typical Arsenal. It could be, well, it will be, a shocking draw.

Arsernal and citeh will be playing one of psg, barca, Madrid, bayern, athletico or Dortmund.

Out of them I would plump for Dortmund or athletico

Napoli go out with 12 points why those rich duds from Russia go through with 6, ouch!

Only Milan through from Serie A, all four German and English teams through.

Jenkinson was awful they did all the damage down his side today. Arsenal played pretty well in the first half and looked the more likely of the two sides. But really poor performance in the second half. Arsenal should have won this group and blew their chance. Arteta had a poor game but his second card was undeserved, Napoli was fouling incessantly in the first half and the ref kept his card in the pocket. Arsenal set themselves up for a tough draw I hope we get psg or atletico, or even Madrid that would be fun. But really we should have had an easy route to the quarters relatively with a win. Arsenal a bit deflated going into the big match at City while city should have their confidence boosted. I hope Sagna will be back because JEnkinson is still too inexperienced and heavy in his touch. He was really flustered today.

After all that, United could well ease through their knockout game and Arsenal could go out to a Madrid, Bayern or Barca. Funny old game

RUNNERS-UP

Bayer Leverkusen, Galatasaray, Olympiakos, Manchester City, Schalke, Arsenal, Zenit St Petersburg & Milan

GROUP WINNERS

Manchester United, Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid & Barcelona

It will be a terrible draw for Arsenal now you fear. City on Saturday too, followed by Chelsea. This is a true test of character for Arsenal this season now.

Ideals

Chelsea: Leverkusen or Olympiakos

United: Schalke or Olympiakos

Both Zenit or Galatasary wouldnt be awful but distance and atmosphere.

Arsenal: PSG or Atletico

City: PSG or Atletico

And only Atletico to give an alternative, they are damn good.

I woul rather have Dortmund over psg

Fingers crossed, if more in hope than true expectation, that Arsenal win the Champions League. If not them, then United. And if not them, then Chelsea or City.

Bit I think a man citeh v psg  would be an amazing dra

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:After all that, United could well ease through their knockout game and Arsenal could go out to a Madrid, Bayern or Barca. Funny old game

To be honest it won't make much of a difference I don't think either team has much of chance of winning this tournament. Although frankly I kind of want Madrid. Not saying Arsenal would be favored but its just too spicy of a match-up to not see. Ozil vs. his old team, Bale playing his old nemesis. I just feel if we beat them they won't sell us anymore of their players so I am a bit torn.

I wouldnt mind seeing Arsenal vs Bayern, City vs Barca.

the best runners up are the english two by a stretch- no team will want them i am pretty sure of that.

Off course if arsenal draw munich and go out - it may be a blessing in disguise.

They will have the resources to really go at the PL.

I cant see Chelsea or man u failing against the other 6- the irony is I couldn't see either beating citeh or arsernal!!

mystiroakey wrote:Off course if arsenal draw munich and go out - it may be a blessing in disguise.

They will have the resources to really go at the PL.

I cant see Chelsea or man u failing against the other 6- the irony is I couldn't see either beating citeh or arsernal!!

You never know what could happen Arsenal could pull of the upset against a more fancied side, always nice to get the scalp of a big european giant in the CL even if you don't end up winning the tournament. I agree though United and Chelsea will get good draws, Arsenal blew a big opportunity here. They are having a tough little run of matches here going Napoli away, City away, and then Chelsea at home. First part turned out badly for them although it is still an incredible accomplishment coming out of this group and being in the knock out stages of the biggest tournament in club football.

No reason why arsenal can't best any body IMO.

I wouldn't be shocked any way.

But they should have topped that group.

mystiroakey wrote:No reason why arsenal can't best any body IMO.

I wouldn't be shocked any way.

But they should have topped that group.

Absolutely they played well in the first half and looked more likely. But really played not to lose in the second half and it showed. They are a better side than Napoli and should have taken a point and got the easier draw next round. The whole point of the tournament is to play the giants so you know that a Barca, Munich, or Madrid is going to be there at some point. OF those three big favorites I would want Madrid.