Champions League thread

[superfrank]

You're not in a position to answer that :p
Chelsea have won European trophies before. The crappy CWC was in the Bridge twice. Chelsea have also won the Premiership twice since Liverpool last won it and I know what I'd rather this season out of the CL or the Premiership.

No trophy is easy to win but I'm suggesting it's a bigger test of character and team strength to win a league where you play 19 teams twice then a cup where you will play 6 (or 7) teams twice and one team once.

[dfx-]

I don't think so. What's better: Winning a trophy by beating 8 (in Liverpool's case) of the best teams in Europe or beating 19 of the best teams in your country, including plenty of your biggest rivals?

Derby? Fulham? Amongst others, they would maybe make the best 92 teams in the English league:)

[Pike B]

League title=Bread and Butter,
Champions League= Jam.. yum

[OwlsFan]

Derby? Fulham? Amongst others, they would maybe make the best 92 teams in the English league:)

Champions League = Champions, 2nd place, sometimes 3rd place and in some instances 4th place League. Derby and Fulham are a lot better than many teams who qualify for the "Champions" League from other countries so I wouldn't totally dismiss them because they are at the bottom of the Premiership.

[Pike B]

Champions League = Champions, 2nd place, sometimes 3rd place and in some instances 4th place League. Derby and Fulham are a lot better than many teams who qualify for the "Champions" League from other countries so I wouldn't totally dismiss them because they are at the bottom of the Premiership.
WHAT?? Who in the name of God is worse in the Champions league than Derby and Fulham??? Ha Ha Ha Ha........ :D

[superfrank]

Derby? Fulham? Amongst others, they would maybe make the best 92 teams in the English league:)
Theoretically, the 20 Premiership teams are the top countries in the league. The fact that one Premiership team made it to the last four of the FA Cup suggests that it's more about on doing the biz on the day.

Leagues are about consistency and at the end of the season the most conisistent, i.e. best, will be at the top.

[cheifo]

Wayne Rooney has said that he would prefer to win the CL with UTD rather than
win the WC with England and I get the impression that Chelsea and UTD would both prefer the CL than the league given the choice.Most Liverpool supporters
I talk to would prefer to win the league because its been so long.

[OwlsFan]

WHAT?? Who in the name of God is worse in the Champions league than Derby and Fulham??? Ha Ha Ha Ha........ :D

Take your pick from most of this lot:

Rangers 3-0 Zeta 2-0 » 1-0 »
København (aet) 2-1 Beitar Jerusalem 1-0 » 1-1
Tampere United 2-0 Levski 1-0 » 1-0 »
Pyunik 1-4 Shakhtar 0-2 » 1-2 »
Debrecen 0-1 Elfsborg 0-1 » 0-0 »
Zagłębie Łubin 1-3 Steaua 0-1 » 1-2 »
Genk 2-2 Sarajevo (ag) 1-2 » 1-0 »
Domžale 2-5 Dinamo Zagreb 1-2 » 1-3 »
Beşiktaş 4-0 Sheriff 1-0 » 3-0 »
Ventspils 0-7 Salzburg 0-3 » 0-4 »
Astana 2-10 Rosenborg 1-3 » 1-7 »
FH 2-4 BATE 1-3 » 1-1 »
Crvena Zvezda (ag) 2-2 Levadia 1-0 » 1-2 »
Žilina 0-0 Slavia (3-4p) 0-0 » 0-0 »

[Block G Raptor]

Im gonna put a few quid on liverpool + Fenerbache to progress tonight

[jebus]

Great goal by Arsenal there, usual pass and move action we're used to from them

[superfrank]

I'd say Liverpool will beat Chelsea in the semis. Chelsea were poor again tonight and a better side would have got back into it.

[shakermaker1982]

How was that a penalty???

[kingdom hoop]

How was that a penalty???

I suppose if you've lost your balance and your arms are flailing you shouldn't be going near an attacker in the penalty area. If your name is Toure you definitely shouldn't. :)

Poor old Liam is very upset/emotional. You'd have to really feel for him. :(

[lofty9]

Poor old Liam is very upset/emotional. You'd have to really feel for him. :(


Classic RTE with Brady Souness and Dunphy. Nearly as good as the match. :D

"You've jumped over the fence baby"

I enjoyed that one.

[ifk101]

Don't think it was a penalty. Fabergas caught Babel's hand outside the box, Babel lost his balance and knocked into the other Arsenal player (Toure?).

[jebus]

Don't think it was a penalty. Fabergas caught Babel's hand outside the box, Babel lost his balance and knocked into the other Arsenal player (Toure?).

Didn't think it was one myself either, they do get given though so if I were Wenger and wanted to focus on a turning point I'd look at the obvious penalty in the first leg, or signing Sendaros a few years back :D

[Sam_Heggy]

good game imo, I thought Gerrard looked like a spoilt brat and didn'tlook interested, typical glory hole though taking the peno.

[redtildead]

good game imo, I thought Gerrard looked like a spoilt brat and didn'tlook interested, typical glory hole though taking the peno.

What would you have done? Changed the penalty taker for the most important penalty of the season because he's having a bad game?

[cartman]

as a liverpool fan, i have to still say it has been a tragic night for european football.. arsenal - a team who aspire to all the good virtues of the game have been knocked out by liverpool.. who under benitez in my eyes will never be more than a competitive cup team.. sad to see a fluent passing side knocked out by a team loaded with negativity..
worst of all - we now have another liverpool chelsea semi - the 2 most negative teams in europe going head to head..
sad night for football... i hope arsenal come back stronger than ever next year [and i think they will].. and i hope benitez gets the chop - and liverpool finally get someone to manage them who makes them some bit watchable...
roy evans anyone!!!!

[geysir]

as a liverpool fan,

Ignore this poster.

actually a united fan (http://foot.ie/showpost.php?p=881462&postcount=18)

[mypost]

as a liverpool fan, i have to still say it has been a tragic night for european football.. arsenal - a team who aspire to all the good virtues of the game have been knocked out by liverpool..sad to see a fluent passing side knocked out by a team loaded with negativity..

Liverpool have scored 24 goals in the last 7 CL games, and 26 in total, and 106 this season in all competitions. If that's negativity, tell me how you can improve on that record.

Arsenal have won nothing for 3 years. Pretty football wins admirers, practical football wins trophies.

[cartman]

Liverpool have scored 24 goals in the last 7 CL games, and 26 in total, and 106 this season in all competitions. If that's negativity, tell me how you can improve on that record.

Arsenal have won nothing for 3 years. Pretty football wins admirers, practical football wins trophies.

good spot geysir, but i actually am a liverpool fan.. was just trying to wind up all the united boyos awhile back...
liverpool have scored a lot of goals this season - mostly against extremely poor sides..arsenal are a much more attractive side to watch as you say - but my main point is WHEN both sides end the season trophyless [unless arsenal produce a miracle in the prem] who will have had the better season?? and which of arsenal and liverpool will have most rebuilding to do to be competitive next season?? arsenal - with a couple more players could produce a clean sweep next year.. liverpool need a major overhaul as they do at the end of every season due to benitez poor buys [torres excluded:rolleyes:]

[redtildead]

I'd say Liverpool will beat Chelsea in the semis. Chelsea were poor again tonight and a better side would have got back into it.

Chelsea being at home in the second leg I think will swing it in their favour. Much easier to play at home in second leg knowing exactly what has to be done.
I know Liverpool did it away to Inter but this will be tougher I think.

[Wolfie]

Classic RTE with Brady Souness and Dunphy. Nearly as good as the match. :D

"You've jumped over the fence baby"

I enjoyed that one.

Had a laugh at that one myself. :D

Souness reaction to that was class. I think Souness is still acclimatising to all of this "stream of consciousness/gibberish" technique that only Dunphy in full flow can deliver. :D

[jmurphyc]

arsenal - with a couple more players could produce a clean sweep next year..



Arsenal have won nothing for 3 years.

Yeah, of course Arsenal could get a clean sweep next year. Add to the fact that it's never been done...:rolleyes:

[Roadend]

Lucky lucky Liverpool, poxing their way to a third semi-final in 4 years. The gods must be smiling on them.

[jmurphyc]

Get bent... Lucky nothing. Jealousy is an awful thing... C'mon the Pool...

I think (though I could be wrong) that he's being sarcastic.

[Pike B]

Woops....

[Roadend]

Indeed I was

[Pike B]

Indeed I was
Apologies hombre...

[joe_barry80]

Can anyone answer me the question? Why is it at champions league games the 1st 2 rows of seat behind the goals are always empty? Especially in games played in Britain.

[Block G Raptor]

I remember reading somewhere (possibly here)that those seats have to be reserved for Uefa Officials and Guests but they are rarely taken up

[jebus]

Can anyone answer me the question? Why is it at champions league games the 1st 2 rows of seat behind the goals are always empty? Especially in games played in Britain.

Not sure, I would have thought it was a Uefa over reaction to safety issues for players though

[Pike B]

I remember reading somewhere (possibly here)that those seats have to be reserved for Uefa Officials and Guests but they are rarely taken up
That's disgraceful... Bloody Uefa...

[mypost]

Can anyone answer me the question? Why is it at champions league games the 1st 2 rows of seat behind the goals are always empty? Especially in games played in Britain.

UEFA CL perimeter advertising.

Due to the nature of English stadiums, the advertising used is higher than for normal league games, obstructing people's views in the first couple of seats. Hence why most people stand up throughout the game.

[dfx-]

liverpool need a major overhaul as they do at the end of every season due to benitez poor buys [torres excluded:rolleyes:]

Nonsense. Buys are still needed mainly outside the regular spine (yes there is one :rolleyes: ) and Reina.

[Morbo]

Feel bad for Brady, I think he is the best panalist they have, I agree their highlight reel of Wenger was tacky, the type of stuff you'd expect to see in the Sun, wouldn't be surprised if Brady never bothers coming on the panal again, well done boys

[Block G Raptor]

Agreed it was a dirty thing to do. I think they set Brady up for an ambush from the outset, just prior to showing the "John Cleese routine" Bill practically asked Brady if he thought Wenger would/should be sacked at the end of the season. I mean ffs he's the guy's Boss what did they expect him to say?

[Pike B]

Brady got sour alright. But what entertainment!! You don't get that with Gary F...ING Linekar!!!

[redtildead]

Feel bad for Brady, I think he is the best panalist they have, I agree their highlight reel of Wenger was tacky, the type of stuff you'd expect to see in the Sun, wouldn't be surprised if Brady never bothers coming on the panal again, well done boys

Looks like you were right. Heard this morning he was meant to be on but no sign of him.:(

[Stevo Da Gull]

Well I'm done with RTEs football coverage anyway. At least until Dunphy's gone.
They probably wont miss one viewer, but I certainly wont miss them anyway.

[dfx-]

They did have a point that Wenger knew it was a crucial time and he was anxious about it. It was obvious that was the case and that clip showed it. Brady might not like that being shown, but it is a valid point.

Wenger knew this week was crucial and his behaviour on the sidelines demonstrates it, just like Andy Gray had mentioned it several times on Saturday.

[jmurphyc]

Agreed it was a dirty thing to do. I think they set Brady up for an ambush from the outset, just prior to showing the "John Cleese routine" Bill practically asked Brady if he thought Wenger would/should be sacked at the end of the season. I mean ffs he's the guy's Boss what did they expect him to say?

I agree that it was a bit much, especially considering he's Brady's boss. There's no need to ridicule a great manager, BUT Brady has never really got in a huff when they've ridiculed plenty of other great manager/players etc so I think it's a bit much IMO for Brady to be taking some kind of moral high ground at this stage.

[rambler14]

I honestly thought Dunphy had a good point about Wenger. He is very animated, sometimes he's too animated IMO.

[stojkovic]

Another classic moment.

Sometimes you have to double take to see if its Apres Match or the real thing.

Classic stuff.

Andy 'Fantastic' Townsend on ITV. Thats just for kids and grannies.

Also hate the way commentators (especially Hamilton) keep explaining the away goals rule as if we're all brain dead.

[Billy Lord]

Andy 'Fantastic' Townsend on ITV. Thats just for kids and grannies.


Football on TV is just for kids and grannies. Everyone else actually goes to football. :cool:

[Morbo]

I agree that it was a bit much, especially considering he's Brady's boss. There's no need to ridicule a great manager, BUT Brady has never really got in a huff when they've ridiculed plenty of other great manager/players etc so I think it's a bit much IMO for Brady to be taking some kind of moral high ground at this stage.
Its only natural to be more insulted when they mock someone you are a friend of or affiliated with, I thought he handled himself well last night, he could have got up and left or resorted to personally mocking Dunphy or Souness but he didn't

[stojkovic]

Football on TV is just for kids and grannies. Everyone else actually goes to football. :cool:

Everyone ! Really ! I know die hard United fans who've never been to Old Trafford. I know die hard football fans in Ireland who've never been to a LOI match or to Lansdowne. Everyone ?

When were you last at a match.

I was at one last friday night :cool::cool:

[jmurphyc]

Its only natural to be more insulted when they mock someone you are a friend of or affiliated with, I thought he handled himself well last night, he could have got up and left or resorted to personally mocking Dunphy or Souness but he didn't

I agree that it's natural and that it was a bit OTT but that kind is the norm with Dunphy and I still feel that if Brady feels that strongly about it, then he really should be standing up for other managers when they're mocked. After the Brady-Dunphy spat Dunphy openly ridiculed Avram Grant and Brady didn't utter a word in his defence.

[gustavo]

Quote from Dunphy last night
"Barcelona won't be winning no Champions League thats for sure"
also using Bojans lack of strength as a reason as to why he won't be a top player is stupid , theres very few 17 year olds that would have strength at that age