Fantasy European League™ Season 2 - Round 3

Matches played Wednesday 20th June - Thursday 21st June
Remember - There is now a £3 mil penalty for not predicting

---

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

---

Tottenham Hotspur
Manager - Pullthestrings
---------------------- Friedal ----------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
- Bosingwa -- Ferdinand ---- Mexes ------ Clichy -
-----------------------------------------------------
---------------------- Essien -----------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
------------- Modric -------- Vd. Vaart -------------
-----------------------------------------------------
--- Navas ------------------------------ Di Maria ---
-----------------------------------------------------
--------------------- Van Persie ---------------------

Subs:
Cudicini, Ekotto, Dawson, Van Bommel, Lennon, Pienaar, Saha

Arsenal
Manager - Kamran

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

Real Madrid v Bayern Munich

---

Real Madrid
Manager - Hero


Subs: Adan, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Gustavo, Kaka, Callejon, Canales

Bayern Munich
Manager - Cor Blimey Guvnor

----------------------- De Gea ---------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
Maicon ----- Vermaelen ------- Pepe --------------- Evra
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------- Toulalan --------------------------
------------- Lampard ----------- Cabaye -----------------
--- D.Silva ---------------------------------- Robben ---
------------------------ Higuain ------------------------

Subs
Butt, Zabaleta, Boateng, van Buyten, Alexis Sanchez, Muller

---

Borussia Dortmund v Manchester United

---

Borussia Dortmund
Manager - BrahmaBull

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

Subs:
Großkreutz, Kringe, Perišić, Bender, Lowe, Omeyloa, Santana

Manchester United
Manager - Fernando

------------------ Valdes
Srna ---- Vidic ----- Chiellini --- Coentrao
---------Scholes ---- Wilshere
Cazorla --------------------------- Podolski
---------Benzema -- Hernandez

Subs:
Lindergaard,Jones,Rafael,De Jong,Arteta,Welbeck,Sturridge

---

Chelsea v Barcelona

---

Chelsea
Manager - Gregers

-------------------Neuer------------------
-Walker---Cahill(c)-------Höwedes---Alaba-
--------------Kroos----M'Vila--------------
--Hamšik-----------Özil------------Marin--
-------------------Gomez----------------

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

Barcelona
Manager - Hodgey

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

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

---

Manchester City v Inter Milan

---

Manchester City
Manager - TSC

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

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

Inter Milan
Manager - FootballCrazy

--------------------------Cesar
---Ivanovic-----Lucio----------Juan-----Baines
------------Cambiasso---------Ramires
---Shaqiri------------Sneijder-----------Young
------------------------Drogba

Subs:
Castelaazi, Milito, Stankovic, Otamendi, Zanetti, Chivu

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

subs:

Großkreutz
Kringe
Perišić
Bender
Lowe
Omeyloa
Santana

----------------Hart-----------------
--Lahm---Kompany(c)----T. Silva---Alba--
-----------Khedira------Yaya----------
---Johnson-------Pirlo---------Nasri----
----------------Aguero---------------
Subs:
Pantilimon, Lescott, Richards, Kolarov, Barry, Tevez, Balotelli

Starting 11 (inter)

--------------------------Cesar
---Ivanovic-----Lucio----------Juan-----Baines
------------Cambiasso---------Ramires
---Shaqiri------------Sneijder-----------Young
------------------------Drogba

SUBS - Castelaazi, Milito, Stankovic, Otamendi, Zanetti, Chivu

Chelsea vs Barcelona

-------------------Neuer------------------
-Walker---Cahill(c)-------Höwedes---Alaba-
--------------Kroos----M'Vila--------------
--Hamšik-----------Özil------------Marin--
-------------------Gomez----------------

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

Arsenal starting X1

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bayern Munich (vs Real Madrid)

----------------------- De Gea ---------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
Maicon ----- Vermaelen ------- Pepe --------------- Evra
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------- Toulalan --------------------------
------------- Lampard ----------- Cabaye -----------------
--- D.Silva ---------------------------------- Robben ---
------------------------ Higuain ------------------------

Subs
Butt
Zabaleta
Boateng
van Buyten
Alexis Sanchez
Muller

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

Pinto
Gibbs
Gallas
Carrick
Cuenca
Affelay
Mandžukić

---------------------- Friedal ----------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
- Bosingwa -- Ferdinand ---- Mexes ------ Clichy -
-----------------------------------------------------
---------------------- Essien -----------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
------------- Modric -------- Vd. Vaart -------------
-----------------------------------------------------
--- Navas ------------------------------ Di Maria ---
-----------------------------------------------------
--------------------- Van Persie ---------------------

Subs:
Cudicini, Ekotto, Dawson, Van Bommel, Lennon, Pienaar, Saha

------------------ Valdes
Srna ---- Vidic ----- Chiellini --- Coentrao
---------Scholes ---- Wilshere
Cazorla --------------------------- Podolski
---------Benzema -- Hernandez

Subs: Lindergaard,Jones,Rafael,De Jong,Arteta,Welbeck,Sturridge

Subs: Adan, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Gustavo, Kaka, Callejon, Canales

Spurs 2-2 Arsenal
VDV, RVP; Valencia, Pedro

Very interesting match-up here. Arsenal have got the better defence, Spurs have got a slightly better midfield and forward making it a very even and high scoring contest. I think VDV is playing a bit too deep, he's better in an AM position than a CM position. As for Arsenal, they could probably do with a better playmaker than Rosicky, or move him forward. Not a fan of him when he drops deep. Anyway, points shared in a high scoring game.

Real 1-0 Bayern
Cesc

Both teams are very solid at the back and good in the centre of the park. I can see the midfield 3 of Bayern being overrun by Real's midfield though. My advice to Guv is to drop Lampard, play Silva in the middle and put Sanchez on the wing. I think Silva is wasted on the wing personally. Moving onto Real, can't really say anything to help them as they are good. Maybe Messi wouldn't work on his tod up front in a 4-2-3-1? I think that's about it.

Dortmund 0-1 MUFC
;Benzema

Sentimentally, I want to give Dortmund something from the game but unforuntately I can't see it. I think, on paper, Man Utd are too good. Without a doubt, Blaszczykowski should play on the right instead of the left and Gotze in the middle with Kagawa on the left (IMO). Also, I just think Man Utd are the better team on paper. If I was Bull, I'd drop Khel and play Bender. No advice for nando here except maybe upgrading Hernandez or replacing him with Welbeck?

Chelsea 2-1 Barcelona
Özil, Gomez; Roo

I think Chelsea have the better defence, it's very even in the middle and Barcelona shade it up front. I can see Gomez's movement and predatory instinct causing all sorts of problems between Terry and Puyol, especially with Özil just behind him. Chelsea could definitely do with an improvement on Alaba at LB. He may well be brilliant in the future, but he's not just now and there's better out there. Onto Barcelona, I can't really say anything new. Don't like the new formation though, very un-Barcelona.

Tottenham 1 - 1 Arsenal
Di Maria --------- Mata

Both sides are improved and both have their strengths. Spurs have a good midfield coupled with a threat going forward. There are a few question marks over the speed of the central defenders which allowed David Villa a number of opportunities. Arsenal are potent up front but needed a little more creativity in central midfield. Both sides threatened and both had chances to win but the match ended all square.

Borussia Dortmund 0 - 0 Manchester United

Two sides with very strong defences who dominated. Both sides have good players up front but both lacked the killer pass today as both sets of forwards cut frustrated figures. Interesting battle but no goals.

Chelsea 0 - 2 Barcelona
----------------- Ronaldo
----------------- Xavi

Far too much attacking intent from the home side who took the game to their visitors but may have been better closing up shop as they did so successfully in real life. Chelsea have a talented young side but Barcelona had greater experience of big matches and the superior quality overall which eventually told with two second half goals. Gomez had chances for Chelsea but had one of his off target days.

Manchester City 1 - 1 Inter Milan
Yaya -------------------- Drogba

Tight match between two good sides. City are set up nicely with a powerful central midfield. They may want to look to improve in their wide areas where neither Johnson nor Nasri shined today leaving Aguero struggling to see as much of the ball as he needs. Yaya Toure was his usual immense self and scored a vital equaliser. Inter have a strong midfield with the tackling of Cambiasso and energy of Ramires. Sniejder pulling the strings centrally. They too may look to improve out wide and with Drogba moving to a new and considerably weaker league, questions marks may start being raised over him. Today he remain the beast he can be however and gave Inter an early lead. All square in the end though.

Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal
Modric, Navas
Villa

Arsenal have a problem with their sitting midfielders who aren't strong enough in comparison with the rest of their team. Indeed, Spurs' strongest area is their midfield and Modric was given free roam to dominate proceedings, hence Tottenham's win. At the back, Tottenham are relatively solid, as are Arsenal, but the visitors were over-exposed today by their midfield and could not prevent shipping two goals. Going forward Arsenal are always likely to score and Villa managed a consolation after superb work from Mata.

=====

Real Madrid 1-0 Bayern Munich
Fabregas

Bayern's defence is fantastic and, even though Guv's tactics to put an extra man in midfield was a smart move, it didn't pay dividends in the end as Real Madrid's class was just too much for the away team. Madrid have few areas of weakness, but Luiz looked very nervy at the back under pressure. Luckily, pressure from Bayern was few and far between as they were more than happy to invite Madrid onto them, which proved a fatal tactic as the hosts had the lion's share of possession. Ultimately, they converted this possession into clear-cut chances and Fabregas took one of them late on to win the game.

=====

Borussia Dortmund 0-2 Man Utd
Hernandez, Benzema

Opportunistic decision from Fernando to go with a more offensive 4-4-2 and it paid off for his side as they were comfortable winners. Dortmund's problems are well-documented but they do have tenacity and resilience, but unfortunately that wasn't enough as United were a class apart in virtually every department. Hernandez threatened the defence constantly with his dangerous runs and Benzema's ruthless finishing meant that United coasted to victory.

=====

Man City 1-0 Inter Milan
Pirlo

The decision to play Pirlo in an advanced position may have backfired in another game, but against Inter it proved instrumental as he was afforded plenty of room to dictate the pace of the game. Against better opposition, TSC may not be able to play him so far up the field as stronger midfields may have quashed his threat. As it was, he combined wonderfully with Aguero throughout the game and eventually got on the scoresheet with a fantastically-struck free-kick. Inter aren't a bad side but they stood no chance of breaching what is a formidably strong City defence.

Spuds 0-2 Arsenal
Pedro/Villa

Real Madrid 0-0 Bayern

Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona
Gomez/Iniesta

Man City 2-1 Inter
Aguero/Nasri - Sneijder

Spurs 2 - Arsenal 1
RVP, Modric - Mata

A very open game between the two north london rivals but Spurs just nick it due to VDV and Modric having almost free roam against Rosicky and Parker. Mata scored one in between RVP and Modric but in the end Spurs' midfield just pipped it for me.

Madrid 1 - Bayern 2
Messi - Lampard, Robben

In a shock result of sorts Bayern just pipped Madrid with the difference being Robben who I feel would have turned Alves inside out. Both sides are incredibly strong and this could go either way. I really like the attack of Madrid but I feel they should look to improve their defense again. Bayern on the other hand are improving all the time.

Dortmund 1 - United 4
Reus - Cazorla, Hernandez, Benzema x2

I really fancy this United side to do the number on Dortmund today due mainly to winning the midfield battle. Scholes and Wilshire controlled the pace of the entire match whereas Gundogan and Khel were all but powerless to control them. Although Dortmund have a good center back partnership without proper support they cannot function. On the odd occasion Dortmund got forward they looked a threat with Gotze, Kagawa, Blasz and Reus and it was the four combining to set up Reus but it was too little too late as Benzema scored his second and uniteds fourth soon after.

Man City 2 - Inter 2
Kompany, Yaya - Ramires, Ivanovic

I really like this Inter side and feel that FootballCrazy has improved them every week. With City I don't like Nasri on the left as I feel he is better suited to the middle of the pitch or on the right although this might just be a matter of opinion. Ramires dictated the play for Inter as Yaya did for City and they both scored today. Ivanovic and Kompany both grabbed a goal one from a corner the other from a freekick. A great hard fought match imo.

Real Madrid 1 - 1 Bayern Munich
Messi ----------------- Higuain

Both teams look great on paper but Madrid looked more balance from the 2 teams. Toulalan took a while to get to grips with the pace of the game whilst Diarra misplaced a few passes with one of them leading to a goal. Both teams created few chances as both defences played solidly.
----

Borussia Dortmund 0 - 1 Man Utd
-------------------------------- Podolski

Podolski's rifle of a shot was the winner in this game that wasn't pleasant to watch. Utd did lack a naturally ball-winner as Dortmund did attack with ease but their forwards found it difficult to get past the rocks that were Chiellini and Vidic.
----
Chelsea 1 - 2 Barcelona
Gomez ---------- Ribery, Iniesta

Barca actually should be thankful to Gomez for scoring first because it woke them from their non productive passing game. Ribery equalised from Ronaldo's great pass. Iniesta quick feet enabled him to get an extra yard and it helped him curl a neat low shot for the winner. Before that Chelsea were more direct and effective especially as Gomez hit the bar and followed up with a fine header.
-----
Man City 1 - 1 Inter Milan
Khedeira --------- Sneijder

Not much between these sides but City's defence were more solid overall. City dominated early on Khedeira burst forward and found himself 1 v 1 against the keeper and calmly placed it past the keeper. As the match went on Inter found more spaces and it was Sneijder's fabulous long range strike that gave Inter hope for a win. However, no more chances were created and it ended as a decent draw game.

Spuds 2-1 Arsenal
Pedro/Villa/RVP

close game between the two sides , the gunners took an early lead but spurs striked twice to takethe win.

Real Madrid 1-1 Bayern
Messi----Higuin
both team were strong and i think they balanced each other out in the end both deserved to get a draw.

Chelsea 1-3 Barcelona
Iniesta X2 , Ronaldo , Gomez

Chelsea has a couple of early chances but in the end Barca where to strong for them managed to win the game with Ronaldo and Inestia who both had a great game.

Man City 2-1 Inter
Aguero /Nasri - Sneijder

City's defence was to strong but inter managed to take the lead during a free kick , Nasri scored to make it even before the break brefore Augero took and won the game for city

spurs 2-1 arsenal
di maria, rvp
villa

real 1-1 bayern
fabregas
lampard

dortmund 0-1 manutd
podoslki

chelsea 0-1 barca
ronaldo

Spurs 1 - 1 Arsenal
Modric - Villa

Dortmund 0 - 3 Utd
Benzema x 3

City 1 - 0 Inter
Yaya

Chelsea 2 - 1 Barca
Ozil, Gomez - Ronny

Madrid 1 - 0 Bayern
Alonso

Borussia 1 - 4 Man Utd
Gotze : Vidic, Srna, Benzema, Welbeck

Chelsea 1 - 3 Barcelona
Ozil : Ribery, Ronaldo [2]

City 1 - 1 Inter Milan
Aguero : Lucio

RESULTS

Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 1 Arsenal
Van Persie, Di Maria : Villa

Real Madrid 1 - 1 Bayern Munich
Messi : Higuain

Borussia Dortmund 0 - 3 Manchester United
Podolski, Benzema, Vidic

Chelsea 1 - 2 Barcelona
Ozil : Iniesta, Ronaldo

Manchester City 2 - 1 Inter Milan
Aguero, Nasri : Ramires

Full bonus to: Kam, Hodgey, Guv, Greg, TSC
Small bonus to: Brahma, FC, Fernando, Hero Pull