Fantasy European League™ Season 2 - Round 9

Teamsheets due by Tuesday 31st July. Remember to take note of injuries.
Matches played Wednesday 1 August - Thursday 2 August.
Remember - There is now a £3 mil penalty for not predicting

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Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea

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Tottenham Hotspur
Manager - Pullthestrings

----------------------- Lloris ----------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
- Maicon -- Ferdinand ----- Mexes -------- Clichy -
-----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
-------------- Veloso ------ Essien ----------------
-----------------------------------------------------
--- Navas ----------- Vd. Vaart ----------- Messi ---
-----------------------------------------------------
--------------------- Higuain -----------------------

Subs:
Cudicini, Bosingwa, Assou-Ekotto, Carvalho, Lennon, Pienaar, Balotelli

Chelsea
Manager - Gregers

--------------Neuer---------------
Walker--Cahill--Höwedes--Alaba
----------Kroos---M'Vila------------
Dzagoev------Özil-------Marin---
-------------Gomez------------

Subs:
Courtois/Badstuber/Fellaini/Song/Ménez/Hamšik/Jelavic

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Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund

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Manchester City
Manager - Driver

-------------------------- Hart -------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
Lahm ----------- J.Martinez -- Kompany ----------- Alba
--------------------------------------------------------
------------------------- Khedira -----------------------
----------------- Alonso --------- Modric ---------------
--------------------------------------------------------
Ribery -------------------------------------------- Nasri
------------------------ Rooney ------------------------

Subs
Pantillmon, Richards, Lescott, Barry, Johnson, Kolarov, Toure

Borussia Dortmund
Manager - BrahmaBull

---------Weidenfeller----------
Piszeck--Hummles---Subotic---Schmelzer
--------Garcia---Bender---------
Hazard-----Kagawa--------Gotze
----------Lewandowski-----------------

Subs:
Reus, Kehl, Kringe, Bakalorz, Vrančić, Santana

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Inter Milan v Real Madrid

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Inter Milan
Manager - FootballCrazy

--------------------------------Cesar
-------------Otamendi--------Vermaelen-------Bonucci
--Arbeloa------------------------------------------------Baines
--------------------Ramires-------------Toulalan
---------Sneijder-------------------------------------Muller
-------------------------------Drogba

Subs:
Castelazzi, Zanetti, Young, Gaitan, Shaqiri, Stankovic, Chivu

Real Madrid
Manager - Hero

Subs:
Albiol, Ivanovic, Diarra, Gustavo, Nani, Tevez, Oscar

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Barcelona v Arsenal

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Barcelona
Manager - Hodgey

---------------------------- Čech ---------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ramos ------------ Puyol ---------- Terry ------------ Cole
-------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------- Busquets -------------------------
------------------- Xavi ------------ Iniesta ----------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
--- Ronaldo ------------------------------------ di María ---
------------------------- van Persie -------------------------

Subs:
Pinto, Abidal, Gallas, Carrick, van Bommel, Cuenca, Mandžukić

Arsenal
Manager - Kamran

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

--Sagna-------Pique---------Kolscielny------------Santos

-----------------Parker-----Mascherano------------------

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

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

Subs:
Howard, Smalling, Rosicky, Lucas Moura, Ox, Llorente

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Manchester United v Bayern Munich

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Manchester United
Manager - CaptainUnited

-------------------------- De Gea --------------------------
Srna ----------- Vidic -------------- Lucio ------------- Evra
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------ Lampard --- Cambiasso -------------------
--- Robben --------------------------------------- Cazorla --
------------------------- Benzema --------------------------
-------------------------- Torres ---------------------------

Subs:
Lindergaard,jones,walcott,giggs,scholes,hernandez

Bayern Munich
Manager - Guv

------------------------- Valdes -------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
Joao Pereira -------- Pepe ------ Chiellini -------- Coentrao
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------- De Rossi ------ Schweinsteiger ----------
A.Sanchez -------------------------------------- Podolski
------------------------- D.Silva -------------------------
----------------------- Ibrahimovic -----------------------

Subs
Butt, Rafinha, Boateng, Cabaye, De Jong, Moutinho, D.Milito

1st XI

-------------------------- De Gea --------------------------
Srna ----------- Vidic -------------- Lucio ------------- Evra
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------ Lampard --- Cambiasso -------------------
--- Robben --------------------------------------- Cazorla --
------------------------- Benzema --------------------------
-------------------------- Torres ---------------------------

subs :- Lindergaard,jones,walcott,giggs,scholes,hernandez

-----------------------Howard--------------------------

--Sagna-------Pique---------Kolscielny--------Bastos
------------Mascherano----Parker--------------------
Valencia--------------------------------------Pedro--
-------------------------Mata------------------------
--------------------------Villa-----------------------

Subs: Malafeev, Adriano, Smalling, Rosicky, Lucas Moura, Ox, Llorente

----------------------- Lloris ----------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
- Maicon -- Ferdinand ----- Mexes -------- Clichy -
-----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
-------------- Veloso ------ Essien ----------------
-----------------------------------------------------
--- Navas ----------- Vd. Vaart ----------- Messi ---
-----------------------------------------------------
--------------------- Higuain -----------------------

Subs:
Cudicini, Bosingwa, Assou-Ekotto, Carvalho, Lennon, Pienaar, Balotelli

Starting 11 (5-2-2-1)

--------------------------------Cesar
-------------Otamendi--------Vermaelen-------Bonucci
--Arbeloa------------------------------------------------Baines
--------------------Ramires-------------Toulalan
---------Sneijder-------------------------------------Muller
-------------------------------Drogba

Subs- Castelazzi, Zanetti, Young, Gaitan, Shaqiri, Stankovic, Chivu.

Casillas
Alves --- Luiz --- T.Silva --- Marcelo
Pirlo---Y.Toure
Neymar---Fabregas---Bale
Aguero

Subs: Albiol, Ivanovic, Diarra, Gustavo, Nani, Tevez, Oscar

---------------------------- Čech ---------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ramos ------------ Puyol ---------- Terry ------------ Cole
-------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------- Busquets -------------------------
------------------- Xavi ------------ Iniesta ----------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
--- Ronaldo ------------------------------------ di María ---
------------------------- van Persie -------------------------

Pinto
Abidal
Gallas
Carrick
van Bommel
Cuenca
Mandžukić

Bayern Munich

-------------------------- Valdes ---------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
Joao Pereira ----- Pepe ------ Chiellini ------ Coentrao
-------------------------------------------------------------
---------------- De Rossi ------ Schweinsteiger ----------
A.Sanchez -------------------------------------- Podolski
-------------------------- D.Silva ----------------------------
----------------------- Ibrahimovic ------------------------

Subs
Butt
Rafinha
Boateng
Cabaye
De Jong
Moutinho
D.Milito

--------------Neuer---------------
Walker--Cahill--Höwedes--Alaba
----------Kroos---M'Vila------------
Dzagoev------Özil-------Marin---
-------------Gomez------------

Subs: Courtois/Badstuber/Fellaini/Song/Ménez/Hamšik/Jelavic

**** PLEASE NOTE ****

Bayern side as per the post last night is as follows:

------------------------- Valdes -------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
Joao Pereira -------- Pepe ------ Chiellini -------- Coentrao
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------- De Rossi ------ Schweinsteiger ----------
A.Sanchez -------------------------------------- Podolski
------------------------- D.Silva -------------------------
----------------------- Ibrahimovic -----------------------

Subs
Butt, Rafinha, Boateng, Cabaye, De Jong, Moutinho, D.Milito

Tottenham Hotspur 4 - 3 Chelsea
Messi 2 ------------------- Dzagoev
Higuain 2 ---------------- Ozil
----------------------------- Gomez

Both defences struggled in this open attacking match. Both sides have potent attacking players but both could strengthen defensively. Spurs defence showed signs of age as they were given the run around by the Chelsea front men. Even the bench has aging replacements. Chelsea's defence is younger but less experienced and, as most do, they struggled to cope with Messi. The home side took the lead through the little Argentinian before Dzagoev levelled for the visitors. 1-1 at half time. Spurs took the match by the scruff of the neck after the break and went 3-1 ahead through two Gonzalo Higuain strikes. Chelsea came back as the home defence tired, pulled one back through Ozil on 74 minutes before Gomez slotted home an equaliser on 87. A draw looked likely but Messi had one last jinking run up his sleeve as he ghosted past desperate Chelsea defenders before coolly lobbing over Neuer in the Chelsea goal. Great entertainment.


Manchester City 2- 1 Borussia Dortmund
Alonso ---------------- Lewandowski
Rooney

Dortmund are getting closer and looked like getting something out of this match but Manchester City came through late on to make it a good start for new boss Driver. Dortmund were the better side in the first period and led at the break courtesy of a Lewandowski goal on 12 minutes. They held on to this past the hour mark but City were slowly getting on top and the lack of confidence that must be going through the Dortmund squad came to the fore as am error by Subotic gave the ball to Xabi Alonso on the edge of the Dortmund box and the Spaniard drilled a fine equaliser into the bottom corner. City poured forward looking for the winner and got it late on as Rooney found space in the box to hard home a Ribery cross. Tough on Dortmund but 3 more points for City.


Inter Milan 0- 0 Real Madrid

Inter went in with 3 centre halves and a defensive line up looking to contain the Real attack. Sneijder was positioned wide right and Muller unusually wide left to kepp track of Neymar and Bale. The tactics worked well and they stifled Madrid, causing great frustration to their players, manager and fans alike. Not a classic but Inter won't care about that.


Barcelona 1 - 0 Arsenal
RvP

Not much in this to be honest but Barcelona do possess the greater quality overall and in tight matches that can make the difference. Arsenal are set up well and their organisation caused problems for the home side as they tried to create clear openings. A goalless first half will have satisfied Arsenal manager Kamran very well and the pattern continued in the second half with Arsenal slowly creating chances of their own. It looked to be a case of which striker was going to bite the hand that used to feed them as David Villa and Robin van Persie both had chances to break the deadlock. Good saves from both keepers followed but it was van Persie who had the final say as he tucked home after good work from Ronaldo, for once crossing to a team mate rather than going on his own. Tight but a narrow home win.

Spurs 2 Chelsea 1

Messi , Balotelli ; Gomez.

Chelsea create plenty of chances early doors in the London derby with Gomez performing a neat turn on Mexas and slipping the ball into the bottom corner , Messi makes a dangerous run causing Rio problems at the ball as he links up well with Navas and Van Der Vart and eventually end up behind the back 4 with VDV teeing Messi up for a easy finish. Late on a free kick from the left is met by sub Balloteli to see him snatch victory.

Inter Milan 1 Real Madrid 1

Drogba , Bale

Madrid take a early lead with Aguero holding the ball up to allow Bale to pick a hole to run through and get onto the end of a simple through ball and smash one home. Madrid continue to batter the home side with Cesar pulling off a string of saves. Arberola and Sneijder combine up the right on a counter to draw with game with Drogba finishing off the move with a neat header.

Barca 1 Arsenal 0

Ronaldo (P)

A workmans like effort keeps Arsenal in the game with Parker and Mash breaking up plenty of Barca attacks before a bit more of a feather touch from Pique sees Ronaldo step up and steal the 3 points for Barca.

Man Utd 2 Munich 2

Two teams set out to attack. A off day from the Man Utd defence lets Ibrhimovic help him self to 2 whilst Torres and Lampard bag a goal each

Sorry ran out of time for last game.

Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 Chelsea
messi(x2),higuain
marin,ozil

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Manchester City 3-0 Borussia Dortmund
rooney,ribery,alonso

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Inter Milan 0-0 Real Madrid

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Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal
ronaldo,rvp
mata

FFS... just wrote all my predictions and then refreshed the page!

Man City 3 - 0 Real Madrid
Aguero, Alonso, Komapny

An easy start for new City manager Driver. Dortmund slowly make progress but every other side is improving too, so the gap is still there. City outclass Dortmund in every department. Dortmund perhaps cause some hiccups in midfield but Alonso and Modric have the class and experience to deal with them.

Inter Milan 0 - 1 Real Madrid
Aguero

Admirable tactics from FC to contain Madrid and stop them from scoring. Trouble is, I don't see Inter scoring with Drogba's pace not what it once was on the break and Madrid fairly organised at the set piece. Madrid huffed, puffed and eventually broke the door down.

Barcelona 2 - 1 Arsenal
Van Persie, Terry : Villa

Strong from both sides but I think Barcelona at home will edge it. They have dominance of the midfield so Arsenal will struggle to keep the ball. Arsenal are blessed with an ex Barca defender and a ex Van Persie teammate so they'll do well in coping with the relentless attacks.

Man Utd 2 - 2 Bayern Munich
Robben, Hernandez : Silva, Sanchez

Captain has done a fantastic at United, managed to clear out the dead wood and compile a very strong midfield. Bayern have also improved and look one of the strongest sides in the league. United would perhaps have a bit of joy down the flanks, bombarding the box with crosses for Benzema and Torres to latch on to. Bayern have the control of the midfield and can dictate the pace, waiting for gaps to open up. a high scoring draw may suggest weak defences but both were sound - it was individual brilliance that lead to the goals from both sides.

Tottenham 2 - 1 Chelsea
Messi -------------- M'Vila
Higuain

Tottenham were in control of this game in the second after but had a scare earlr on with a ferocious goal by M'Vila. The visitors stayed back and waited for the onslaught. It was Van De Vaart that created both goals for Higuain and Messi and looked comfortable after that.
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Man City 1 - 0 Borussia Dortmund
Kompany

A thunderous header from Kompany gave City all 3 points. Before Dortmund frustrated City and also attacked well and this game looked to be going for draw but City won their first corner and it paid off.
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Inter Milan 1 - 1 Real Madrid
Sneijder ---------- Bale

Inter Milan started the gave with a defensive line-up but it didn't work as they conceded in 5mins as Neymar put through Aguero and he unselfishly squared it to Bale. Inter continued with the same formation and Real dominated. However, Inter changed their formation by bringing on Shaqiri and his great vision found Sneijder who placed it accurately for a great equaliser.
----------------------
Man Utd 1 - 1 Bayern Munich
Sanchez --------- Torrese

Fantastic game with many chances but only 2 were taken. Torres with a crisp shot from 10 yards gave Bayern the advantage. However, Sanchez's solo run and curler equalised for the home side.

Tottenham 1-0 Chelsea
Higuain

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Man City 2-0 Borussia Dortmund
Rooney, Modric

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Inter Milan 0-1 Real Madrid
Fabregas

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Man Utd 2-2 Bayern Munich
Robben, Benzema
Silva, Sanchez

Man City 2 - 0 Dortmund
Aguero, Kompany

Inter Milan 1 - 2 Real Madrid
Drogba - Aguero x2


Barcelona 3 - 3 Arsenal
Van Persie x3: Villa, Matax2



Man Utd 1 - 3 Bayern Munich
Benzema: Silvax2, Shwein

Spurs 1-2 Chelsea
Messi - Gomez, Ozil

Barca 3-1 Arsenal
RVP x2, Ronaldo - Mata

Utd 1-2 Bayern
Benzema - Silva, Ibra

City 2-0 Dortmund
Ribery, Rooney

spurs 1-1 chelsea
vdv
ozil

spurs could not break down a dogged chelsea side at white hart lane. lionel messi went close on several occasions but just could not finish whereas the away side took advantage of their only chance all game and scored. chelsea struck first on the counter through ozil and after that it was all spurs(read:messi). he played van der vaart clean thru for the dutchman to equalize and went close after that but could not score.

mancity 1-1 dortmund
modric
gotze

dortmund held mancity on their own turf to earn a point for themselves. the home side bossed the midfield and it was luka modric who got them going in the first 10 minutes as his shot from 25 yards out was deflected into the dortmund net. the away side went close a couple of times after that and finally got the goal their play deserved. mario gotze took on a couple of players and race into the box to smash home the equalizer for his side. mancity piled on the pressure but dortmund held on for a point.

barca 1-1 arsenal
rvp
pedro

barca's defenders were troubled by the pace of the arsenal forwards as mata, villa and pedro constantly beat their centre-halves. the home side got going with a goal from robin van persie's freekick after ronaldo had earlier skied his attempt on an earlier freekick. barca had possession of the football but arsenal were very quick on the counter and got they got their goal on one such occasion by pedro.

bayern 2-1 united
sanchez, silva
robben

bayern struck twice in the space of 5 minutes and united never really recovered from that blow. robben did get one back for them but it was a little too late to stage a comeback. lucio was the culprit for the first goal as he slipped to all sanchez to run past him and score

RESULTS

Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 1 Chelsea
Messi [2], Higuain : Ozil

Manchester City 3 - 0 Borussia Dortmund
Rooney [2], Alonso

Inter Milan 0 - 1 Real Madrid
Aguero

Barcelona 3 - 1 Arsenal
Van Persie, Ronaldo, Terry : Villa

Manchester United 1 - 2 Bayern Munich
Benzema : Silva, Sanchez

Full predo bonus to: Kam, Guv, FC, Driver, Pull
Small predo bonus to: Hodgey, Gregers, Captain, Hero
Penalty to: Brahma