Fantasy European League™ Season 2 - Round 2

Matches played Wednesday 13th June - Thursday 14th June
Remember - There is now a £3 mil penalty for not predicting

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Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur

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Real Madrid
Manager - Hero

Subs:
Adan, Varane, Arbeloa, Albiol, Kaka, Gustavo, Callejon

Tottenham Hotspur
Manager - Pullthestrings

---------------------- Friedal -----------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
- Bosingwa -- Ferdinand ----- Mexes --------- Clichy -
-----------------------------------------------------
---------------------- Essien ------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
------------- Modric -------- Vd. Vaart --------------
-----------------------------------------------------
--- Lennon --------------------------- A. Sanchez ---
-----------------------------------------------------
----------------------- Saha ------------------------

Subs:
Cudicini, Ekotto, Dawson, King, Sandro, Hamsik, Pienaar

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Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund

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Arsenal
Manager - Kamran

-----------------------Malafeev---------------------------

--Sagna-------Mascherano---------Pique------------Adriano

------------------Parker-----Rosicky------------------

Valencia----------------Mata------------------------Pedro

---------------------------Villa-----------------------

Subs:
Sczczeny, Kolscielny, Fontas, Santos, Thiago, Ox, Llorente

Borussia Dortmund
Manager - BrahmaBull

---------Weidenfeller----------
Piszeck--Hummles---Subotic---Schmelzer
-----Gundogan----Khel---------
GroBkentz---Gotze--------Blaszcyko
-------------Reus-----------------

Subs:
Langerak, Owomiyela, Lowe, Kringe, Bender, Persic, Bakalorz

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Bayern Munich v Chelsea

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Bayern Munich
Manager - Cor Blimey Guvnor

------------------------ Valdes --------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
Maicon ---- Vermaelen ------- Pepe -------------- Evra
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- Toulalan ---- De Jong -----------------
Di Maria --------------------------------------- Robben
------------------------ D.Silva ------------------------
------------------------ T.Muller ------------------------

Subs:
Butt, Zabaleta, Boateng, van Buyten, Sahin

Chelsea
Manager - Gregers

-----------------Neuer-----------------

-Walker----Cahil(c)---Höwedes----Alaba-

-----------Kroos------M'Vila------------

--Navas----------Özil------------Marin-

-----------------Gomez----------------

Subs:
Courtois/Badstuber/Rafinha/Mereiles/Song/Rodallega/Jelavic

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Manchester United v Manchester City

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Manchester United
Manager - Fernando

-------------------De Gea
Srna ---- Vidic ----- Chiellini --- Coentrao
---------Scholes ---- Wilshere
Cazorla ------- Lampard -------- Sturridge
-------------- Benzema

Subs:
Lindergaard,Rafael,Jones,Fletcher,Arteta, Park, Welbeck, Hernandez

Manchester City
Manager - TSC

----------------Hart-----------------
--Lahm---Kompany(c)---T. Silva---Alba--
-----------Khedira------Pirlo----------
---Johnson-------Yaya--------Nasri----
----------------Aguero---------------

Subs:
Pantilimon, Lescott, Richards, Kolarov, Barry, Tevez, Balotelli

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Barcelona v Inter Milan

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Barcelona
Manager - Hodgey

----------------------------- Čech --------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ramos ------------ Puyol ---------- Terry ------------- Bale
-------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------- Busquets -------------------------
------------------- Xavi ------------ Iniesta ----------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
--- Ribéry -------------------------------------- Ronaldo ---
--------------------------- Rooney -------------------------

Subs:
Pinto, Gibbs, Gallas, Carrick, Cuenca, Affelay, Romeu

Inter Milan
Manager - FootballCrazy

--------------------------Cesar
---Ivanovic-----Lucio----------Juan-----Baines
------------Zanetti----Stankovic------Ramires
---Shaqiri---------------------------------------Young
-------------------------Drogba

Subs:
Castellazi, Otamendi, Zanetti, Milito, Ranocchia, Palombo

You know the drill Hero - 'announcement' this one, lose the 'announcement' on round 1 please

Starting 11 (inter)

--------------------------Cesar
---Ivanovic-----Lucio----------Juan-----Baines
------------Zanetti----Stankovic------Ramires
---Shaqiri---------------------------------------Young
-------------------------Drogba

SUBS - Castellazi, Otamendi, Zanetti, Milito, Ranocchia, Palombo

Starting X1 for Arsenal

-----------------------Malafeev---------------------------

--Sagna-------Mascherano---------Pique------------Adriano

------------------Parker-----Rosicky------------------

Valencia----------------Mata------------------------Pedro

---------------------------Villa-----------------------

Subs: Sczczeny, Kolscielny, Fontas, Santos, Thiago, Ox, Llorente

Barcelona

----------------------------- Čech --------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ramos ------------ Puyol ---------- Terry ------------- Bale
-------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------- Busquets -------------------------
------------------- Xavi ------------ Iniesta ----------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
--- Ribéry -------------------------------------- Ronaldo ---
--------------------------- Rooney -------------------------

Pinto
Gibbs
Gallas
Carrick
Cuenca
Affelay
Romeu

Chelsea

-----------------Neuer-----------------

-Walker----Cahil(c)---Höwedes----Alaba-

-----------Kroos------M'Vila------------

--Navas----------Özil------------Marin-

-----------------Gomez----------------

Subs: Courtois/Badstuber/Rafinha/Mereiles/Song/Rodallega/Jelavic

-------------------De Gea
Srna ---- Vidic ----- Chiellini --- Coentrao
---------Scholes ---- Wilshere
Cazorla ------- Lampard -------- Sturridge
-------------- Benzema

Subs:
Lindergaard,Rafael,Jones,Fletcher,Arteta, Park, Welbeck, Hernandez

Real Madrid


Subs: Adan, Varane, Arbeloa, Albiol, Kaka, Gustavo, Callejon

Bayern

------------------------ Valdes --------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
Maicon ---- Vermaelen ------- Pepe -------------- Evra
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- Toulalan ---- De Jong -----------------
Di Maria --------------------------------------- Robben
------------------------ D.Silva ------------------------
------------------------ T.Muller ------------------------

Subs
Butt
Zabaleta
Boateng
van Buyten
Sahin

Real Madrid 1-0 Tottenham
Nani

Spurs did a marvellous job containing Madrid for as long as they did, but were eventually broken down after persistent attacking quality from the hosts. Pull will be disappointed his side could not hold on, but they offered little going forward in a game where they could have exploited the questionable Madrid centre-back pairing. Lennon was particularly unimpressive, and Saha was all-but invisible. Madrid looked nervy at the back at times, but in attack they were their fluent best, Nani scoring the only goal after jinking past Mexes before slotting calmly beyond Friedel.

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Arsenal 2-0 Dortmund
Mata, Villa

Arsenal were simply too strong for Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates and ran out comfortable winners. Dortmund do have relatively strong defenders in Hummels and Subotic, but going forward they are very unpredictable if not easy to manage. The Gunners were flawless in truth, Mascherano particularly impressive at centre-half. The Argentine was given plenty of room to dictate play, even from his deeper position, and it was his through ball which allowed Mata to round the keeper and put the hosts in front. Going forward Arsenal can trouble any team and Mata turned provider shortly after his goal, beating his man before squaring for David Villa to tap in.

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Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
Silva, Robben
Ozil

Guv has been back from holiday for a matter of days but his side looked much better and revitalised in his presence, edging past Chelsea in a fast-paced match. Neither of these sides have any notable weaknesses, with Marko Marin looking the most indifferent and out of place for Chelsea. Bayern have made improvements and their midfield is nicely balanced and creative, which led to David Silva breaking the deadlock after he sprinted onto Toulalan's incisive pass. Silva revels in the advanced role behind the striker and tormented Cahill all game. Indeed, the Spaniard skilfully wormed his way through the centre-back pairing before passing to Robben to drill into the bottom corner. Chelsea, for Bayern's strength, did not deserve to be two goals behind in truth, and went up a gear as Ozil reduced the deficit, but it was not enough as Gomez squandered a late opportunity to equalise.

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Man Utd 1-1 Man City
Coentrao
Alba

An intense Manchester derby involved heroics from two offensive-minded left-backs in a game where neither side could find the decisive winner. United are resolute and tough to break down, as Barcelona found out last week, yet provide a threat on the counter as Srna and Coentrao like to get forward. City are similarly solid at the back, and the star quality of Aguero and Yaya can nick them a goal in any game. Yet Yaya Toure looked indifferent and disinterested in his more advanced role, and City lost the tenacity in the midfield, as Scholes and Wilshere were allowed far too much room on the ball. Wilshere's delightful chipped pass found Coentrao on the overlap, who cut inside before producing a wonderful right-footed effort which curled beyond the dive of Hart. City's defence are very strong and allowed no further chances to United, and the away side slowly began to impose themselves on the match, eventually drawing level as Alba headed in at the back post after a deep Yaya Toure corner.

madrid 1-0 spurs
fabregas

madrid got a close win in the 2nd round of matches. spurs dominated the midfield for the early part of match but real's attacking threat proved too much in the end.

arsenal 2-0 dortmund
valencia, villa

arsenal just stronger in all departments than dortmund especially in attack. valencia got the first with a long-range shot and it was the spanish duo, mata and villa that combined for arsenal's second.

will do the rest later

Real Madrid 0-0 Spurs

Arsenal 2-0 Dortmund
Mata/Pedro

Bayern 1-1 Chelsea
Di Maria / Gomez

Barcelona 1-0 Inter
Iniesta

Madrid 2 - Spurs 1
Messi, Fabregas/Modric

A good game between two quite evenly matched sides. Spurs manage to keep Madrid quiet for large periods of the game but the quality of Messi proves just too much as he scores one and sets up the second. Modric grabs a goal for Spurs late on but it isn't quite enough. Above all Spurs need a striker as a big name up front could have won them the match here today.

Arsenal 3 - Dortmund 0
Mata,Valencia,Villa

Dortmund simply had no answer to Arsenals awesome attacking force. Mata pulled the strings in the middle of the pitch and was involved in everything. Hummels and Subotic had a good game but were overloaded with the intense attacking options. On the few times Dortmund went forward Masch and Pique snuffled out anything and everything.

Man U 1 - Man City 1
Sturridge/Kompany

A great Manchester derby with both keepers on top form. United taking the lead as Lampard, Wilshire and Sturridge link up to produce a moment of brilliance slicing through City's imposing defense just before half time. City push up more in the second half with Yaya imposing further forward and giving Scholes a horrible half to endure. A Nasri corner picks out Kompany perfectly and he nods it into the top corner. Both sides push late on but the keepers are too good.

Barcelona 2 - Inter 2
Ronaldo, Rooney/Ramires, Drogba

A much closer game than many would have thought but Drogba is a handful all afternoon and gives Busquets, Terry and Puyol a headache. His movement allows Ramires to score early on causing Barce to panic. This in turn leads to Inter doubling their lead as Drogba gets taken down by Busquets before smashing in the freekick. Barce continue to press and get their reward in the second half as Ronaldo basically gets them back into the game by himself. Scoring a blinder before setting up Rooney for the equalizer.

bayern 1-0 chelsea
silva

bayern's wide men gave a torrid time to chelsea's fullbacks. eventually it was david silva who got the only goal of the game

united 1-1 city
benz
nasri

Real 1-0 Spurs
Lionel

Interesting game, especially as Hero appears to be managing both teams . The midfield's are very even but Real shade it at the back and definitely up front. Spurs manager should really consider playing Hamsik up front instead of Saha who, in all honesty, is awful. Can see the wingers causing the Real FB's a lot of hassle, especially Marcelo who is pretty incompetent at defending, but with no one to cross it to it ends 1-0.

Arsenal 1-0 Dortmund
Villa

Interesting match-up on paper. Dortmund have by far the better back 5 compared to Arsenal. Personally, I've never rated Mascherano, especially at CB. Moving forward, the 4 DM's are pretty even. Arsenal are definitely better up front but against a very strong defence I can't see them causing too much damage but because of the strong front line they shade it.

Bayern 0-2 Chelski
Navas, Gomez

Aside from the back 5 of each team being fairly even, Chelsea have much the better quality. As a personal preference, I'd never play Thomas Muller up front on his own. I'd always play him behind a striker or on the wing as he creates chances and doesn't score buckets of goals, but as I said that's a personal preference. I can also see the quick Chelski wingers causing slow Bayern FB's problems.

Barca 2-1 Inter
Roo, Ron; Drogba

It looks to be a no contest on paper but, I think Inter do put up a fight. There's no use comparing the strength of each team but I can see everyone's favourite Didier Drogba causing Terry + Puyol problems if Inter ever get he ball to him. They're definitely not the best CB pairing in the league and against a good striker, I can see them struggling. The Barca bench isn't great either, so maybe they should work on that.

Real Madrid 3 - 2 Tottenham
Messi (2) -------------- Sanchez, Saha
Nani

Both defences took a battering in the first half but Madrid changed personel to stop that from happening and which paid off in the end. Sanchez's wonderful strike gave spurs the lead and he almost scored a 2nd but for the post to get in the way. Messi was put through and he took the keeper and scored the equaliser. Nani scored the 2nd just before half time. Tottenham scored through a corner and things were looking pretty equal until Messi and Neymar combined and Messi dinking it over the keeper for the winner. Great game with very good sides.
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Bayern Munich 1 - 1 Chelsea
Di Maria -------------- Gomez

Not many clear cut chances in this game but two excellent finishes from two top players resulted in the fair outcome - draw. Silva dragged back and slipped Di Maria who swerved the ball from outside his boot and over the keeper. Chelsea then piled the pressure when Ozil's tremendous pass found Navas, he jinked past a couplem of players and crossed Gomez banged it home for a deserved equaliser.
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Man Utd 0 - 1 Man City
------------------ Aguero

Utd were imperious first half as Aguero couldnt get a sniff past Vidic and Chiellini. Yaya tried bombing forward alot but was dealt with but Pirlo and Khedeira for most of the game. As the game went on City looked more frustrated and Utd grew in confidence. Sturridge missed a glorious chance as he rounded the keeper but hit the side-netting. With 20mins to go Adam Johnson got the better of Wilshere and Contreao and slipped in Aguero who lashed it past the keeper who didn't stand a chance.
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Barcelona 1 - 0 Inter Milan
Rooney

Inter made things very difficult for Barca as they bombarded the midfield with players that harried Barca's creative players throughout this match. Inter then quickly countered and made very good progress up until it reached Drogba as he needed more support but Young and Shaqiri were lagging behind and the chance was gone. Barca carried on their game and were patient and then it came as Ribery changed his pace and flew past Baines and cut back for Rooney to curl it home for the winner.

Real Madrid 2 - 0 Tottenham
Messi
Neymar

Nice central midfield for Spurs but they couldn't get their wide men into the match enough to provide supply for Saha. Real ooze quality up front and they proved too much for the Tottenham defence as a goal either side of the break resulted in a relatively straightforward home win.


Arsenal 1 - 0 Dortmund
Villa

Dortmund are a good side but were not at full strength and in a tight match chances were limited and it took a delightful strike from David Villa to settle the outcome.



Man Utd 0 - 0 Man City

Defences on top here as both are very strong and at times uncompromising. Both sides tried to create chances but both held firm with most efforts coming from long range. Benzema got dragged wide to see more of the ball which left Utd short in the middle, Aguero dropped deep and gave City a similar problem. One for the purists.

Barcelona 2 - 1 Inter Milan
Ronaldo -------- Drogba
Ribery

In truth, Barca bossded this match but failed to put it to bed after early strikes from their two wide men. Inter plugged away and a typical Drogba strike gave them hope with 20 minutes left. They failed to grab the goal that would have given them a point but could have left the Barca manager fuming had they taken one of a couple of late chances.

Arsenal 3 - 1 Dortmund
Mata [2], Pique : Gotze

Bayern 0 - 0 Chelsea

Manchester United 0 - 1 Manchester City
Tevez

Barcelona 3 - 2 Inter Milan
Rooney, Bale, Iniesta : Young, Drogba

Arsenal 2 v 0 Borussia Dortmund
Villa x 2

Bayern Munich 0 v 1 Chelsea
Gomez

Manchester United 1 v 3 Manchester City
Benzema - Aguero x2, Yaya

Barca 1 - 0 Inter
Rooney

RESULTS

Real Madrid 2 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Nani, Messi

Arsenal 3 - 0 Borussia Dortmund
Mata, Villa [2]

Bayern Munich 1 - 1 Chelsea
Di Maria : Gomez

Manchester United 1 - 1 Manchester City
Benzema : Aguero

Barcelona 3 - 1 Inter Milan
Ronaldo, Rooney, Bale : Drogba

Full prediction bonus to: Kam, Hodgey, Guv, Gregers, TSC
Small prediction bonus to: FC, Fernando, Hero, Pull
Fine to: Brahma