Champions League thread

[eirebhoy]

We're not going to agree over this are we??

2 replies and you give up. Anyway, yeah you've high standards.

[Pike B]

2 replies and you give up. Anyway, yeah you've high standards.

Not giving up, never..
I've just recognised you are set in your opinion, and I in mine and thought ah feck, this is gonna go on forever..
Actually, ya I gave up!!!

[lionelhutz]

So with both games delicately poised for the return legs next week, who do ye think will qualify now? The consensus is that both Chelsea and United are in the driving seat - whilst I'd agree with Chelsea, United are in a very vulnerable position.

I'm sticking to a Liverpool Barcelona final. I believe Liverpool will score at Stamford Bridge considering the chances created at Anfield and John Terry looks half the player he was under Mourinho

[razor]

The ref seemed to move the ball back and Ronaldo never placed it to where he wanted it. It would have been the best thing to do as he looked very nervous and the one thing you don't do when your nervous is try and place a penalty.

So it was the refs fault that Codaldo missed the penalty?

[jmurphyc]

So it was the refs fault that Codaldo missed the penalty?

So you think it was Ronaldo's fault for missing the penalty?!

[Morbo]

I went with a Barca-Chelsea final before the 1st legs and i'll stick with it.
Chelsea were very lucky but you gotta fancy them to finish pool of at the bridge given pools record there, as fot MU I can see them blowing it again, won't be surprised if Ronaldo goes missing again

[Block G Raptor]

Aurelio out for the Second Leg with a groin strain and Lampard may miss it too following the sad news of his mothers death from pneumonia

[Pike B]

Aurelio out for the Second Leg with a groin strain and Lampard may miss it too following the sad news of his mothers death from pneumonia

Nuts.
Aurelio is just starting to come good for us too.


Sad about Lampards mother though.
Terrible way to go.

[OwlsFan]

1-2 for Barcelona ??

[Block G Raptor]

Sad about Lampards mother though.
Terrible way to go.

Agreed it is sad, having said that everyone's gotta go sometime so on that note she timed it well from a Liverpool perspective. although the converse could be true and her loss could inspire Lampard and indeed the rest of the team to go on and win "for" her

[lionelhutz]

Aurelio out for the Second Leg with a groin strain and Lampard may miss it too following the sad news of his mothers death from pneumonia

I couldn't be happier Aurelio is out. He's a poor defender and his supposed brilliance with set peices never materialised. Can't believe Benitez has persisted with him while he leaves finnan sitting on the bench. Hopefully he'll play Finnan right back against chelsea and switch Arbeloa to left back.

Barcelona to win 2-1 tonight for me - United won't play San Marino style tonight like they did in the Nou Camp and Barcelona will create many more openings

[shakermaker1982]

Fingers crossed for tonight. I wanna see Tevez starting -assuming Rooney plays. I reckon he'll go Scholes, Carrick (needs to deliver after a few poor weeks) and Hargreaves in the MF.

Tomorrow is a tough one to call. You'd make Chelsea slight favourites but you can't count out Liverpool in a knock out competition. Will be interesting to see if Benitez goes for the goal early on or keeps it till tight till the 2nd half.

[boovidge]

i think if united attack tonight they'll win comfortably. If they play the same tactics they have done in the last two games then barca will sneak it 1-0.

[superfrank]

Lampard back in training but after Saturday's performance, I don't want him near the team.

[Block G Raptor]

Fingers crossed for tonight. I wanna see Tevez starting -assuming Rooney plays. I reckon he'll go Scholes, Carrick (needs to deliver after a few poor weeks) and Hargreaves in the MF.

Tomorrow is a tough one to call. You'd make Chelsea slight favourites but you can't count out Liverpool in a knock out competition. Will be interesting to see if Benitez goes for the goal early on or keeps it till tight till the 2nd half.

Liverpool have nothing to lose by going for it from the off. if they get caught on the break they're still in the same position needing to score 1 to stay in it

[shakermaker1982]

Can I ask all the Irish scouse fans why Finnan isn't playing much? He's one of the most reliable full backs in the PL and he only seems to feature in Rafa's B team?

[jmurphyc]

Tonight it a tough one to call. I think I'll stick my neck out and make the bold prediction that Barca will get an away goal. Other than that I really can't say but I give Barca more of a chance than I did at the start of the two legs.

[shakermaker1982]

Liverpool have nothing to lose by going for it from the off. if they get caught on the break they're still in the same position needing to score 1 to stay in it

well that's what I'd expect but this is Benitez he probably wouldn't want Chelsea getting their tails up if they did score first . Whereas if you score first you guys are back in the driving seat and can invite the pressure on and look to counter.

[Block G Raptor]

Can I ask all the Irish scouse fans why Finnan isn't playing much? He's one of the most reliable full backs in the PL and he only seems to feature in Rafa's B team?

No Idea, I think the only person who can answer that is Benitez. I disagree with the post above about Aurelio I think he's really settled in at the back recently and has been excellent in the games I've seen, wouldn't say he's necessarily "better" than Finnan at the moment but he is on a good run of form

[razor]

Liam Mackey was asked about tonights game on radio this morning and said he said there'd definitely be goals and could see it going to extra time and penalties.
Imagine someone pays him to write about football.