Champions League thread

[shakermaker1982]

Chelsea or Liverpool? Which team do I dislike the least?

The last few years I've preferred to see the Scousers edge it in these Semi Final games but I think I'd prefer to see the blues go through for a change. I predict a draw tonight (1-1 or 0-0).

Man Utd-Barca is going to be a thriller. If Man Utd can contain Barca and keep a clean sheet at the Nou Camp then they have an excellent chance of going through.

[jebus]

Can't see it Jebus . If I'm being totally un-biased and objective I think Man Utd are the best team left in it (oh god I feel so sick typing that) and I also think Barca are having a mare this year. over two legs I'd have to fancy the Mancs. as for Liverpool -v- Chelsea? I suppose really it's anyones but even taking off my red tinted classes I still fancy Liverpool to have too much for them, think the atmosphere at Anfield will be crucial and think the reds will need to take 2 goals to the bridge but I think they will

Yeah but Ferguson always shows too much respect/fear when up against the Barcas of this world in the European Cup. United will try to beat them at football and, Ronaldo aside, United just aren't in Barcas league (even with them in a slump in the league). Were United to go out and kick lumps out of them the way they did with Arsenal in recent seasons then I think they would beat them, but Fergie always gets stage fright in the big cup (I don't follow any of the Big 4 English teams before I get United fans on to me). The 2nd leg being in the Nou Camp will be telling I think. For score predictions I'll go 2-2 at Old Trafford and 3-1 to Barca in Barcelona

As for Liverpool-Chelsea, well in fairness Liverpool needed the 2nd leg in Anfield to have any chance, I can see it being 1-1 tonight, with Chelsea winning 2-0 or 2-1 in the 2nd leg

[Block G Raptor]

but Fergie always gets stage fright in the big cup (I don't follow any of the Big 4 English teams before I get United fans on to me). The 2nd leg being in the Nou Camp will be telling I think. For score predictions I'll go 2-2 at Old Trafford and 3-1 to Barca in Barcelona

I would Love it absolutely Love it if Jebus turns out to be right about this

[shakermaker1982]

Yeah but Ferguson always shows too much respect/fear when up against the Barcas of this world in the European Cup. United will try to beat them at football and, Ronaldo aside, United just aren't in Barcas league (even with them in a slump in the league). Were United to go out and kick lumps out of them the way they did with Arsenal in recent seasons then I think they would beat them, but Fergie always gets stage fright in the big cup (I don't follow any of the Big 4 English teams before I get United fans on to me). The 2nd leg being in the Nou Camp will be telling I think. For score predictions I'll go 2-2 at Old Trafford and 3-1 to Barca in Barcelona

As for Liverpool-Chelsea, well in fairness Liverpool needed the 2nd leg in Anfield to have any chance, I can see it being 1-1 tonight, with Chelsea winning 2-0 or 2-1 in the 2nd leg

first leg is at the Nou Camp!!! Fergie will play it cautious tomorrow. Tight at the back, pack the MF and look to counter with speed at every opportunity.

[eirebhoy]

No interest in this game tbh. Gym and wallpaper stripping tonight for me.

[jebus]

first leg is at the Nou Camp!!! Fergie will play it cautious tomorrow. Tight at the back, pack the MF and look to counter with speed at every opportunity.

They'll still bottle it, United just aren't up there on the world stage with the likes of AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and, dare I say it, Liverpool, and no amount of Chinese people buying official Man Utd mugs will change that

[shakermaker1982]

They'll still bottle it, United just aren't up their on the world stage with the likes of AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and, dare I say it, Liverpool, and no amount of Chinese people buying official Man Utd mugs will change that

we'll see and I hope your wrong! Barca isn't going to be easy but with the squad available to Fergie this time round (missing key players last year against Milan) he'll never have a better chance of winning the CL again.

Tomorrow's game should have been the final. Instead we'll have defence against attack in Moscow whichever two teams make the final.

[Pike B]

No interest in this game tbh. Gym and wallpaper stripping tonight for me.

You are a football fan yes??

[lionelhutz]

Yeah but Ferguson always shows too much respect/fear when up against the Barcas of this world in the European Cup. United will try to beat them at football and, Ronaldo aside, United just aren't in Barcas league (even with them in a slump in the league). Were United to go out and kick lumps out of them the way they did with Arsenal in recent seasons then I think they would beat them, but Fergie always gets stage fright in the big cup

Have to agree with this. Ferguson is his own worst enemy in Europe - with his very strange tactics and manouvering of players such as Rooney. This will be their downfall - he's very frightened of teams such as Barca in Europe. There's no doubt he would have preferred to have met one of the English sides

[mypost]

Tomorrow's game should have been the final. Instead we'll have defence against attack in Moscow whichever two teams make the final.

The last 3 European finals with Liverpool have featured 18 goals.

When the "dream final" happened in 2006, it was a damp squib.

[eirebhoy]

You are a football fan yes??

Dunno. I just couldn't get excited about Chelsea - Liverpool. There's no exciting Irish players playing first and foremost. I've no bias whatsoever towards either team. I've no bets on the match. There's no player on either team that I'm particularly excited about watching. The majority of the time I can tick one of those 4 boxes above but I'm not going to halt my wallpaper stripping to watch this match. It's a strange one alright and your question has probably made me realise that when I'm 100% neutral I don't have too much interest in any type of sport. Tennis, snooker, rugby, absolutely anything. My gambling habits mean I'm very rarely neutral. Come to think of it, maybe the highs and lows of gambling on anything and everything make it so boring when I'm neutral. Oh the questions.

[Pike B]

Dunno. I just couldn't get excited about Chelsea - Liverpool. There's no exciting Irish players playing first and foremost. I've no bias whatsoever towards either team. I've no bets on the match. There's no player on either team that I'm particularly excited about watching. The majority of the time I can tick one of those 4 boxes above but I'm not going to halt my wallpaper stripping to watch this match. It's a strange one alright and your question has probably made me realise that when I'm 100% neutral I don't have too much interest in any type of sport. Tennis, snooker, rugby, absolutely anything. My gambling habits mean I'm very rarely neutral. Come to think of it, maybe the highs and lows of gambling on anything and everything make it so boring when I'm neutral. Oh the questions.

You are a complicated fella and you have my sympathy. Go and make a bet,0-0. Worth your while.. Keep the intrest at least. You can work and keep an eye on the telly at the same time... Go on.. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO...

[shakermaker1982]

The last 3 European finals with Liverpool have featured 18 goals.

When the "dream final" happened in 2006, it was a damp squib.

Your 3 European Cup finals before that had 4 goals altogether - doesn't mean anything. I acknowledge Liverpool's record in Europe the last 3 seasons but I find the team extremely boring to watch whether it's in the PL or Europe. They have the odd entertaining game but it's usually when your having to chase the game.

2006? I enjoyed the Barca-Arsenal game if I'm being honest.

[mypost]

I acknowledge Liverpool's record in Europe the last 3 seasons but I find the team extremely boring to watch whether it's in the PL or Europe. They have the odd entertaining game but it's usually when your having to chase the game.

Liverpool have scored 26 goals in the competition this year, including 5 in the last round. The idea that the team are boring to watch is outdated.

[Pike B]

Liverpool have scored 26 goals in the competition this year, including 5 in the last round. The idea that the team are boring to watch is outdated.

Correct. We are no longer boring to watch. Chelsea are pretty drab though.... So if the game is bad, blame the Londoners..

[Block G Raptor]

Liverpool have scored 26 goals in the competition this year, including 5 in the last round. The idea that the team are boring to watch is outdated.

Agree whole heartedly with the above. come on this boring Tag is a relic of Houlliers reign ffs. It's the nature of the competition to be tight away from home that's why we've been in 2 finals in 3 years and are looking to make it 3 in 4 tonight. Any other team in Europe would be hailed as greats if they achieved this but not Liverpool why?


P.S. is now a good time to mention that we also broke the record for the biggest win in the competition this year by beating the Turkish champions 8-0

[eirebhoy]

I thought Liverpool played excellent football in the first half on Saturday. Didn't see the 2nd half.

[lionelhutz]

To be honest I can see why neutrals would be much more excited about the Barca-Utd game than Chelsea Lpool. The two semi finals between Che Liv had a paltry 3 goals in 4 games. For supporters of either side though, it was excitement of the highest order.

Neutrals are getting bored watching the Che Liv matches. And because Barca's defence is so poor and their attack so potent, there's no doubt going to be more goals in that semi. I'd go with Barca to go through 5-4 and Liverpool 3-1 on aggregate

[superfrank]

P.S. is now a good time to mention that we also broke the record for the biggest win in the competition this year by beating the Turkish champions 8-0

Just a few weeks after losing 2-1 to them? I don't know what that means really. Are Liverpool really good because they overcame a side that could beat them away from Anfield or are Besiktas just crap and bluffers extraordinaire?

Ah, I have my answer.

And they finished second last year, Fenerbahce won it.

[Block G Raptor]

Just a few weeks after losing 2-1 to them? I don't know what that means really. Are Liverpool really good because they overcame a side that could beat them away from Anfield or are Besiktas just crap and bluffers extraordinaire?

I know what I think.

And they finished second last year, Fenerbahce won it.

I never said the 8-0 win meant Liverpool were world beaters
I agree Besiktas probably did fluke the win in turkey and flattered to deceive. However I don't think a team that wins 8-0 against any opposition in a major competition can be described as boring or defensive