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

[CFCNick]

By all the Euro/Bundesliga pundits and people who cream their pants over any 18 year old with promise.

I've always thought he was overrated.

[Hero]

The Dortmund side that pummelled Arsenal was missing Reus, Hummels, Gundogan, Blaszczykowski, Kagawa, Sahin and Piszczek.
Ouch.

[Hammersmith harrier]

He was rated as a top prospect for the future not as a player who would have an immediate impact on a consistent basis, Messi and Ronaldo weren't tearing teams to shreds at that age.

[mystiroakey]

Decent from Everton..


Nice to say that about one PL team this week.

[The Special Juan]

Has Shameless Coleman become one of the best RBs about?

[kingraf]

Sorry Mysti, but thats wrong. There wasn't a gulf in class (not should there have been given that Bayern had a debutant defender, missing three centre midfielders, only ten minutes of Robben, no Rubery). It was a half strength Bayern, to be kind, and City should have shown more ambition. If it wasn't for Hart, they coulda been properly Cleaned up. Nearly stole it at the end, with Agüero, but it woulda been hardly deserved.

So what are you arguing. What's wrong?

Does read badly looking at it now. I think I was just saying munich weren't only slightly the better side. There was daylight between the two. Which is pretty bad, as this Bayern team was half-strength.

[mystiroakey]

Toure made quite a difference to be honest- he seemed fine first 20 - then he was a passenger. I think his head has gone. But it was still the best performance out of the 4 PL teams in the CL for me. I think Hart made one exceptional save. The rest of the saves need to be expected if you want to start at a team that is challenging on all fronts. You dont win big games without top draw keepers.

When we think of city we have to think of them like a top level team. In those teams you dont just expect your team to play outfield football -you also need to expect your keeper to allways be at harts standard in those games(that it was that night)- to beat a good team(and i think City are a good- great team) - you cant just expect average finishing when you get the chances. You need great finishing. I also think man city played in a very similar game to bayen, just in lesser amounts due to bayerns slightly better midfield(not helped by toures lack of passion) -But they had chances and could have nicked it.

losing robben and ribery, is like ls like losing toure and aguero.



Whether they lacked bayerns ability wasn't really my point(no need to really bring up missing players- they have a top squad and were at home)as I thought bayern were better. But anyway compared to Liverpool's, arsenals(abysmal) and Chelsea's(lack of respect to oppositions threat more than anything else) it was the best. They had chances to knick it and a pen turned down. just a good finish and you get a goal.

I suppose after watching Arsernal getting smashed to pieces by a team - everything after looks ok..

What is it with Wenger and ozil in these crunch games. They just flake out.

And Ramsay has turned in to rubbish since he came back. He was the player that nicked the game of BVB last year.

He has exactly the same problem as wilshire- they get injured- come back playing average-poor for 5 months then start playing well for 4 or so games and then get injured and repeat.

[kingraf]

There's no shame in losing away to Dortmund. They pretty much bossed Munchen in the Germán SuperCup. When they get it right, they are pretty difficult to handle.

[mystiroakey]

Huge shame the way they played. No shame In an away loss.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

By all the Euro/Bundesliga pundits and people who cream their pants over any 18 year old with promise.

I've always thought he was overrated.

This deserves a

I reckon he will be starting for Germany in the next Euro's

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Huge shame the way they played. No shame In an away loss.

Also a shame given the fact that Dortmund were also missing a few key players.

[J.Benson II]

What is it with Wenger and ozil in these crunch games. They just flake out.
And Ramsay has turned in to rubbish since he came back. He was the player that nicked the game of BVB last year.

Ozil has been garbage for the past year. He now looks like a guy that doesn't even want to play football anymore.
I think Ramsey got carried away with the hype. He now tries to hard to impress and just tries difficult shots/passes rather then just keeping it simple.

Arsenal got a fluke win against BVB last season. They got totally bossed but nicked a goal on the break.

[hampo17]

What is it with Wenger and ozil in these crunch games. They just flake out.
And Ramsay has turned in to rubbish since he came back. He was the player that nicked the game of BVB last year.

Ozil has been garbage for the past year. He now looks like a guy that doesn't even want to play football anymore.
I think Ramsey got carried away with the hype. He now tries to hard to impress and just tries difficult shots/passes rather then just keeping it simple.

Arsenal got a fluke win against BVB last season. They got totally bossed but nicked a goal on the break.

He's the best midfielder in the world, no pass or shot should be too difficult for the Welsh wizard

[Guest]

Interesting to see another Pardew reject in Yanga Mbiwa playing tonight for Roma. Apparently, he's been a revelation since joining, we'll see.

I think City will want to make a point tonight, can see them blowing Roma apart actually, being unbeaten in Serie A doesn't mean too much in my opinion.

[compelling and rich]

got a feeling city may spank roma tonight, italian league is very poor these days. probably why gervinho and mbiwa have looked good

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Silly and clear penalty

[compelling and rich]

there you go, maicon another terrible defender

[Fernando]

1-0 Citeh (aguero)

[The Special Juan]

Maicon should have been off here. Could be another 7-1 hiding for Roma and it couldn't happen to a nicer club.

[Fernando]

Why you hate on Roma?

Pjanic is quality if Citeh give him too much time he'll pick gaps for fun.

[The Special Juan]

Why you hate on Roma?

"In 1986, Roma president Dino Viola was banned by UEFA because Roma had bribed referee Michel Vautrot with £50,000 prior to the European Cup semi-final 2nd leg between Roma and Dundee United in 1984. Roma trailed Dundee United 2-0 from the 1st leg at Tannadice Park, and sought to bribe Vautrot to ensure their passage to the final which was to be held at their own stadium. Roma went on to win the 2nd leg 3-0, aided by a very clear penalty decision (handball on the goal line) and after 2 goals disallowed by the referee."

[compelling and rich]

not to mention there idiot fans and police

[Fernando]

Citeh 1-1 Roma - Totti

[kingraf]

God I love Totti.

[compelling and rich]

terrible by city that, think im quicker than totti these days and for that much space for him to run in. hart should have come out also

[compelling and rich]

ah he slipped, let hart off

[Fernando]

The problem was Joe Hart went full Steven Gerrard and slipped. He would have got to the ball if he didn't. Quality finish though.

[monty junior]

Fantastic finish from Totti, how ironic he would score against a team full mercenaries the complete opposite to himself.

[kingraf]

Good thing the Italian league is c.rap then, imagine what a good team like Stoke would do to Citeh

[The Special Juan]

City look really bad at the back tonight.

[LastDamnation]

Joe hart always goes down too early, hence why everyone tries to chip him

[kingraf]

Goes down to early you say? He tried that party trick on you mate?

[Mad for Chelsea]

Chelsea deservedly ahead. Finishing a bit of a concern, need to be more ruthless. Nicely taken goal by Matic, sleepy defending though... Surprising to see Schurle miss chances, he's normally an excellent finisher.

Lisbon's plan seems to be based around committing lots of niggly fouls and whingeing at the ref when he gives them. Already had one player booked for complaining.

[Fernando]

Anyone else find it weird that Yanga Mbiwa has been a tank vs Citeh but was dogshite for Newcastle

[Mad for Chelsea]

much better from Lisbon since the break. Chelsea gone to sleep slightly, though Oscar should have at least made it 2. Ivanovic booked for a cynical foul, rightly so, before the Lisbon CB does the same to Costa and also gets booked. Adding injury to insult he seems to have hurt himself in the process...

[lorus59]

It is a real quality game between PSG and Barca.

[Guest]

Anyone else find it weird that Yanga Mbiwa has been a tank vs Citeh but was dogshite for Newcastle

To be fair, he's fouling everywhere & in the EPL would of been prob sent by now with this accumulation of fouls. Refs got no cards. As for City, very average

[Mad for Chelsea]

lasers being shone into Chelsea players faces everytime they take a corner or free-kick in the danger zone, or in Courtois's face whenever he's facing a similar situation. Fairly disgraceful...

[kingraf]

Its weird how Lampard suddenly got good again

[kingraf]

City aren't getting out of this group, are they?

[The Special Juan]

They need 6 points against CSKA and then it'll come down to the game in Italy. Anything other than a win and they're on their bike (and even then it might not be enough if Roma take something from the Bayern matches).

[Mad for Chelsea]

well it's a win, puts us top of the group and generally pretty solid, but oh! the finishing! I make that three one-on-ones missed (Costa, Oscar and Salah) while Schurle had a simple chance in the first half too. Should have scored at least three or four in any case.

Has Nani ever passed the ball in his life?

[compelling and rich]

well it's a win, puts us top of the group and generally pretty solid, but oh! the finishing! I make that three one-on-ones missed (Costa, Oscar and Salah) while Schurle had a simple chance in the first half too. Should have scored at least three or four in any case.

Has Nani ever passed the ball in his life?

not to a team mate, quite adept at passing to opponents

[Mad for Chelsea]

They need 6 points against CSKA and then it'll come down to the game in Italy.  Anything other than a win and they're on their bike (and even then it might not be enough if Roma take something from the Bayern matches).

Maybe, maybe not. A draw in Italy could well be enough if they get something from the Bayern home game. But yes, 6 pts against CSKA an imperative for City. They do seem to attract tough draws.

Pleased to see PSG hold out against Barca. Schalke only nicking a point at home vs Maribor a bit of a shock there. Second place (presumably behind Chelsea) in that group wide wide open.

[Mad for Chelsea]

well it's a win, puts us top of the group and generally pretty solid, but oh! the finishing! I make that three one-on-ones missed (Costa, Oscar and Salah) while Schurle had a simple chance in the first half too. Should have scored at least three or four in any case.

Has Nani ever passed the ball in his life?

not to a team mate, quite adept at passing to opponents

I mean he did a lot of good things this evening, worked hard, dribbled well, made himself available. Just seemed to want to go it himself all the time, and ended up shooting (off target) or getting crowded out. Silly.

[hampo17]

Gone for a 5 fold tonight, Arsenal, Liverpool, Real, Atletico and Dortmund. £20 returns £240.

[mystiroakey]

I got 10.5(9.5/1 or 19/2)on just arsernal , Liverpool and athletic.

i think real are something stupid like 1/8 so no point adding to the bet.

[Duty281]

Cannot see Liverpool winning tonight, particularly with the absence of Daniel Sturridge.

Playing it completely safe on the betting front:

A ton on Arsenal at 4/7 (just too kind!).
A tenner on Basel/draw, Juventus/draw, and Arsenal and Madrid to both win. That returns around a bullseye, I believe.
Oh and I think I put a couple of quid on Arsenal to win 2-0.

As long as Arsenal win, it will be a green and tranquil evening.

[mystiroakey]

"A tenner on Basel/draw, Juventus/draw, and Arsenal and Madrid to both win. That returns around a bullseye, I believe."

it should be much more.- about 20/1 on betfair.

or are they all singles? and your profit is 50- return of 90

[Fernando]

Liverpool starting XI: Mignolet; Manquillo, Lovren, Skrtel, Enrique; Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling; Markovic, Balotelli.
--------------
Arsenal XI: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Cazorla, Ozil, Sanchez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Welbeck.

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