UEFA Champions & Europa League 2014-15 Season Thread

[Fernando]

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All places to talk Champions & Europa League  football for this season  

Champions League Round of 16 Draw

PSG vs Chelsea
Man City vs Barcelona
Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid
Juventus vs Dortmund
Schalke vs Real Madrid
Shaktar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich
Arsenal vs Monaco
Basel vs Porto


Arsenal - Monaco
Celtic - Inter Milan
Chelsea - PSG
Everton - Young Boys
Hull - OUT
Liverpool - OUT of CL dropped into Europa League - Besiktas
Man City - Barcelona
Man Utd - Swansea 21st February (It's about as close to European football as your getting this year) 
Tottenham - Fiorentina

[Fernando]

Arsenal 2-0 Dortmund - Alexis

[The Special Juan]

A draw doesn't take them through, does it?

No but it gives us more chance of a second round game than Utd..

[Fernando]

Enjoying watching Paul Jewell call a Basel player Ebola

[Fernando]

Sanogo pulls his hamstring

[Fernando]

Ludogorets 2-2 Liverpool

They just got set play raped.

Anyone else think Danny Welbeck looks like Carl from The Simpsons...

[The Special Juan]

Sanogo pulls his hamstring  

If I were in your position, I wouldn't be too cut up about it...

[Fernando]

FT The mighty Ludogorets 2-2 Virtual unknowns Liverpool
FT Arsenal 2-0 Dortmund.

[lfc91]

Another pathetic performance masterminded by the tactical genius that is BR.

[kingraf]

I did say Ludogrets are at home and better than you'd think.... too lazy to pluck out all the comments from 'Pool fans who thought six points were basically guaranteed

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I really want Liverpool to get through to see how much they'd get smashed by a good team over two legs

[lfc91]

Be interesting to know when these Liverpool fans commented 6 points were guaranteed? If it was when the draw was made it is understandable. However if you'd ask me before the game I was expecting defeat , and credit to Liverpool they tried their hardest to deliver that defeat.

[lfc91]

Ps does anyone else find it hilarious that it's the DEFENDER Rodgers subbed on to see out the game who made the mistake for the goal at the corner? Genius

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I thought they had a good shot at 6 points and the very least qualification. I stand by it, they were damn close to winning tonight and still would be odds on to qualify

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Since when did Dolph become a mod why have I never been given such powers huh powers that be

[The Special Juan]

#SoFforMod

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Since when did Dolph become a mod why have I never been given such powers huh powers that be

You wanna watch your tone or I'll ban you like I banned DrDeath (later rescinded by gayRobotHero) POWERZIGGLE

[Fernando]

Since when did Dolph become a mod why have I never been given such powers huh powers that be

You wanna watch your tone or I'll ban you like I banned DrDeath (later rescinded by gayRobotHero) POWERZIGGLE

Don't make me ban you Dolph for abusing your power

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I've got dirt on all of the powers that be, I'm not going anywhere

[Fernando]

They will never see it coming

[TRUSSMAN66]

Another pathetic performance masterminded by the tactical genius that is BR.

At least you're in it...While there is life there is hope...

Find it amusing how all the teams in it from these waters are getting lambasted by Utd fans that were too crap to make it..

Couple of weeks ago some were slapping City down for beating them 1-0 on here !!!!!!!! ......

Never mind they've won it before !!!!..............Utd fans like to live in the past....

I once birdied a par 3 !!

You'll beat Basle at home.....We'll beat Roma away with Silva, Toure back..........

Who knows Utd may beat Brentford in the FA cup..

[Duty281]

Sorry Truss, who do you support?

You spend most of your time on here banging on about Manchester United, so it really is difficult to tell!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Bit sad mate, you've never even made the important part of the competition have you yet? I still watch Champions League football and West Ham have never been in it

[Mad for Chelsea]

to be fair, for all the struggles that English teams have had in the group stages, they're still in a decent position to have all four teams in the next round. City and Liverpool were always going to struggle to top their groups, so second would be a decent effort if they can get the result they need next week.

Arsenal should really have topped their group, but had that implosion against Anderlecht which will come back to bite them, especially if they draw a big gun in R2.

Having had a look at the various groups, obviously Porto and Leverkusen/Monaco/Zenit would be the best draws for whichever English team(s) come second. They might just fancy their chances against Atletico, but that would be tough. Can't see them having much joy against any of the big guns (City could, but seem to have a mental block in Europe). If PSG avoid defeat in Barcelona they'd be a decent enough draw too I guess (though tough, maybe similar to Atletico).

For Chelsea, the team they'll want to avoid is whoever comes second in the PSG/Barca group, though I'd still fancy them over two legs against those teams.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'd say Arsenal and Liverpool would have no chance against Atletico merely due to the amount of goals they score from crosses/set pieces and how bad both teams are at defending them.

[mystiroakey]

what!

I wouldn't put arsernal in the same bracket as liverpool at the present time. And also dont measure Athletico as a truely top team like last season.

I would back Arsenal over them. Not to bothered about any cross stats- If arsenal play well they can outscore them

I wouldn't back liverpool against Brighton.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Yet they aren't even ahead of Newcastle and West Ham at the moment

[mystiroakey]

what has that got to do with anything?

[Fernando]

He's a West Ham fan Mysti. They only think short term

Stat of the Day: Yaya Sanogo has more champions leagues goals then Radamel Falcao in the last 5 years.

Shall we start the bidding at 40m

[kingraf]

I agree with Chris, though. Atlético are scary good from set pieces. It borders on ridiculous actually as they aren't a particularly good side. Only four points off the top of la Liga as well, so they're quality. Got trounced by Valencia last month though, so not invincible, although they beat us pretty clean over two legs in the Spanish Super Cup

[mystiroakey]

Graf do you agree with Dolphs comment that Arsenal have no chance of beating athletico?

Because you seem to be agreeing and disagreeing at the same time. He has completely written them off.

[kingraf]

I agree with Chris that Atlético are scary good from set plays. They're a top team, and better than Arsenal, but it's not outside of the realm of reality for Arsenal to win, but if they couldn't force a way through that Utd defence till late, I think they'll have a rather unprofitable day at the office against Atlético.

[mystiroakey]

Graf- even for arsernal that wasn't normal. They would have normally socred a few goals from the amount of chances they created first half.

Some days you just cant score.

Like the monaco game last night- they had one chance and took it, Bayer had about 30 and couldnt take them.

Belgium v USA is another recent game , and you could probably think of many others.

The Arsenal game v united was a lot more telling against Man u than Arsenal in my opinion. Arsenal sliced them apart and as i said even they would normally put a couple of them away.

You saying they couldnt get past the united defence isnt correct. They did plenty of times- they just couldn't get past the keeper.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

The fact is that Arsenal are not showing anything that suggests they would be worth backing. The team is frighteningly poor outside of Sanchez. After that flurry in the first half Arsenal created so little against United and were outplayed. United picked them off, that wasnt luck, it was tactics.

[mystiroakey]

The fact is that Arsenal are not showing anything that suggests they would be worth backing. The team is frighteningly poor outside of Sanchez. After that flurry in the first half Arsenal created so little against United and were outplayed. United picked them off, that wasnt luck, it was tactics.

did you watch the game?

did you not see the 10 one on ones?

how is that tactical?



watch palace defend against better teams- they get the players behind the ball and they  make it so hard for opposing teams to get a shot in.

yes teams can break us down due to the amount of possesion they have- but if you think man u tactically beat arsenal you cannot have seen the game.. You cant tactically allow another team so many chances.

And now the 'frighteningly poor comment'

what does that mean?

are you serious. You think Ox, wilshire, ozil, welbeck, giroud, chambers, gibbs, carzola and walcott are frightening poor?

Why cant you just say it how it is?
Why the ott reactions- are you preparing for a job as a tabloid journo?

[Ent]

United had 2 teenagers at the back, of course we gave up a few chances.

It was an easy win in the end, played di maria further forward - waited for arsenal to over commit and mangled them.

Poor decision of offside against Rooney and di Maria's miss saved them from embarrassment.

theyll most likely lose in the next round.

[mystiroakey]

It was easy because they missed so many chances. Once you get the ball to di mari and Rooney then you have the star quality. But united has not turned the corner yet. Arsenal are the better team .

[Dolphin Ziggler]

The fact is that Arsenal are not showing anything that suggests they would be worth backing. The team is frighteningly poor outside of Sanchez. After that flurry in the first half Arsenal created so little against United and were outplayed. United picked them off, that wasnt luck, it was tactics.

did you watch the game?

did you not see the 10 one on ones?

how is that tactical?



watch palace defend against better teams- they get the players behind the ball and they  make it so hard for opposing teams to get a shot in.

yes teams can break us down due to the amount of possesion they have- but if you think man u tactically beat arsenal you cannot have seen the game.. You cant tactically allow another team so many chances.

And now the 'frighteningly poor comment'

what does that mean?

are you serious. You think Ox, wilshire, ozil, welbeck, giroud, chambers, gibbs, carzola and walcott are frightening poor?

Why cant you just say it how it is?
Why the ott reactions- are you preparing for a job as a tabloid journo?

Well it would be working, you're reacting like a ruddy Daily Mail reader. "I AM OUTRAGED AT THE BLATANT LIES THESE FOREIGNERS SPREAD!!"

They have been poor. I don't know one happy Arsenal fan. Their performances have been lacklustre, their squad is unbalanced, their manager looks behind the times and they have gained nothing from winning the FA Cup. The fact of the matter is that Nando can only make jokes against West Ham to defend his team; that just shows how poor a position they are currently in.

To carry on. 10 one on ones? Didn't happen. And yes, they were tactical. Look at their use of players and how they counter attacked. The Di Maria point below is a pertinent one; United played them at a game and Di Maria spearheading was part of it. I watched it with Arsenal fans and we remarked how similar it was to when Rooney Ronaldo and Park burst from deep and scored years ago. They did the same and it could have been 3 or 4. For some reason these things get forgotten cos Arsenal missed chances. Not enough that for some reason a goalkeeper making great saves isnt seen as part of the team's performance.

The team has no aspirations of anything above 4th. And they couldnt beat a United side shorn of their defence. At home. They've kept 1 clean sheet at home this season and the only two teams they've beat at The Emirates are Palace and Burnley. Teams will be looking forward to playing Arsenal right now and considering the state of the league this year I think that shows they are in for a rough ride.

[mystiroakey]

No I am reacting like someone reading OTT nonsense to grab attention . It has nothing to do with foreigners just your OTT writing style. stop the nonsense.


De gea didn't make decent saves. Just competent ones. The chances were not taken well.

And please don't start a strawman.

Back up your frieghtenly poor comment?

Back up your no chance comment?

[The Special Juan]

to be fair, for all the struggles that English teams have had in the group stages, they're still in a decent position to have all four teams in the next round. City and Liverpool were always going to struggle to top their groups, so second would be a decent effort if they can get the result they need next week.

Arsenal should really have topped their group, but had that implosion against Anderlecht which will come back to bite them, especially if they draw a big gun in R2.

Having had a look at the various groups, obviously Porto and Leverkusen/Monaco/Zenit would be the best draws for whichever English team(s) come second. They might just fancy their chances against Atletico, but that would be tough. Can't see them having much joy against any of the big guns (City could, but seem to have a mental block in Europe). If PSG avoid defeat in Barcelona they'd be a decent enough draw too I guess (though tough, maybe similar to Atletico).

For Chelsea, the team they'll want to avoid is whoever comes second in the PSG/Barca group, though I'd still fancy them over two legs against those teams.

Only Munich or Madrid are going to stop you this season so if I was in your shoes, I wouldn't be too worried until the semis. The only problem you might come across is Barca's front 3 v Terry.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Of course it has nothing to do with foreigners, great understanding of the reference their myst.

He made very good saves. You don't get down and to balls in that proximity without it being exceptional work.

Well, I would suggest the one clean sheet, their general level of performance, their position in the table, the fact they havent been able, as a team that should have been on a high and settled, to take advantage of disarray of Liverpool, Tottenham, United to even be in the top four right now, the performances against the big sides and their low tally of wins against teams they should be beating then, yes, I think this is as poor an Arsenal side as I've seen for some time, saved by one world class player. They are damn lucky they are in such a poor group in the Champions League

[mystiroakey]

People have been writing of arsenal for ten years.

Its going to be very hard to get past the next stage as there well be a big chance that they will meet barca , real or Bayern. (Probably 50%). They can't meet Dortmund or Chelsea. So they have to be hoping to play Bayer in an ideal world, then athletico or PSG to have any chance in getting through.

They should have topped this group and only have themselves to blame. But they are starting to look better IMO and I think they will finish stronger than they started.

[mystiroakey]

Actually tell a lie. Porto will also finish top.. So that would be a favourable draw.

[spencerclarke]

Does anyone know if a team wins the europa league but finishes out of the champions league places does they then take the place off a team in their league or will they be an extra team for that country?

[mystiroakey]

You get an extra spot. So if Everton won. The pl would have 5.

But you can't have 6.

So if a team wins the cl but comes out of the top 4 and another team wins the uefa cup then the 4th place is stripped.

[mystiroakey]

Brilliant goal by lukaku that. It almost came apart but he made up for it.

[spencerclarke]

Cheers for that mysti. I knew the champions league one but wasnt sure on europa league what with the spot being new and all.

[mystiroakey]

Spencer. I think you can now get an extra spot by winning the CL and falling out of the top 4. So the totenham situation won't happen again unless teams from one league win both and both fall out of the top 4.

[mystiroakey]

Why is soldado starting ahead of Kane?

[spencerclarke]

Think they have given kane the nod for the league, guessing as they are almost through they are hoping soldado can get a bit of confidence here instead.

[mystiroakey]

What an idiot spud fan

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