JamieD From UK - England, joined Apr 2002, 613 posts, RR: 11 Posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1000 times:
So the group stage is finally over, and here are the remaining 16 teams in the hat for the first knockout round draw (draw to be made on 15.12.06 at 12:00 CET):
AC Milan
Arsenal FC
AS Roma
Celtic FC
Chelsea FC
FC Bayern München
FC Barcelona
FC Internazionale Milano
FC Porto
Liverpool FC
LOSC Lille Métropole
Manchester United FC
Olympique Lyonnais
PSV Eindhoven
Real Madrid CF
Valencia CF
Who do you think/hope can go all the way? I personally think that Lyon could be the surprise package if they can steer clear of injuries/suspensions, and of course am hoping for Arsenal to repeat last year's success but go one better. Inter are looking stronger than ever (especially with new additions Ibrahimović and Crespo to the squad), as are Chelsea and indeed Real Madrid.
Of course, all predictions are merely speculation at this stage, but I'd like to hear your opinions all the same.
I sincerely hope Barcelona will fail in the second round. They have played far too inconsistent, plus they have people on the payroll, who IMO should not be paid those outrageous amounts of money they're getting paid. Even during the Werder Bremen game today, all they played was one half, then the second half, they stopped playing somehow.
If they stop playing only draws like during the last games in the CL, then they might go all the way. It's up to coach Magath to motivate them properly.
Somehow I have my doubts on them. They played one hell of a season last year, but this year it hasn't been that great, especially in the Premier League. I see them going to the semifinals, but that's it.
Definitely a candidate for the finals, but they need to play more attractive. Instead of playing to get a goal and holding that score, they should be a bit more offensive and aggressive. Chelsea football is simply boring.
Definitely another candiate for the finals. They got the best team in France and have shown what they can do throughout this CL season, that's all there is to it.
Thom@s From Norway, joined Oct 2000, 11949 posts, RR: 51 Reply 3, posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 960 times:
What is great about this years final 16 is that there are only "Experienced/traditional" teams left, making sure that just about every fixture is an interesting one.
I was pleased to se United go through last night, (and a big thanks to FC Copenhagen for making sure the reds won their group.
However, for United's oppnent in the next round to be the runner up of their group, is not gonna help much when the candidates are Barcelona, Real Madrid, Porto, PSV Eindhoven, Inter, Roma and Lille.
*Crossing fingers for Lille in the draw next week...*
Thom@s
"If guns don't kill people, people kill people - does that mean toasters don't toast toast, toast toast toast?"
Arsenal@LHR From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 7791 posts, RR: 23 Reply 5, posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 949 times:
I can't wait for the last 16 draw, i can see some very tasty fixtures. As long as Arsenal don't meet Barcelona or Real Madrid this early, we should be content. But no easy games in the CL, all are quality teams.
GLAGAZ From UK - Scotland, joined Feb 2004, 1965 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 946 times:
Quoting LTU932 (Reply 2): Quoting JamieD (Thread starter):
Celtic FC
If they play like they did at home against Manchester, they could be the surprise of the year.
What!? Man U completely dominated that game. And if Saha wasn't such an idiot in the last 5 minutes, Man U would have won. Although they should have scored many before that.
+ The fact that Celtic cannot do anything away from home. So they would need to finish the tie in the 1st leg at Parkhead.
I would put money on Arsenal or Liverpool as their chance at the premiership crown is lost.
Gaz
Neutrality means that u don't really care cos the struggle goes on even when ur not there, blind and unaware
JamieD From UK - England, joined Apr 2002, 613 posts, RR: 11 Reply 9, posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 921 times:
Quoting Thom@s (Reply 3): What is great about this years final 16 is that there are only "Experienced/traditional" teams left, making sure that just about every fixture is an interesting one.
I've got a feeling it's going to be a good one this season.
Quoting Arsenal@LHR (Reply 5): But no easy games in the CL, all are quality teams.
Agreed. Any team can beat any other on the day (or both days, as the case may be), whoever we get drawn against, it's going to be a tough two matches.
We showed that we had plenty of quality in the squad to go far last season, but we've lost Bergkamp, Pirès, Campbell, Reyes (he is a better player than Baptista, period) and Ashley Cole since then, which does worry me a little bit. Not that we haven't got a great squad now, but I feel that it isn't quite as strong as last season.
Quoting Piercey (Reply 8): Wow I can be an idiot some times
I was going to point it out, but I thought I'd leave it.
DAL767400ER From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 5721 posts, RR: 50 Reply 10, posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 909 times:
Quoting LTU932 (Reply 2):
Quoting JamieD (Thread starter):
FC Bayern München
If they stop playing only draws like during the last games in the CL, then they might go all the way. It's up to coach Magath to motivate them properly.
They have to go all the way, if only just for the UEFA's 5-year ranking. We don't need to lose another CL spot. Besides, if Deisler can play longer than 45 minutes, Poldi comes back, and the Dutchies Makaay/van Bommel continue to play well, they do have a realistic chance. Just hope they don't get Barca, though I would bet money that that will be the exact team Bayern will get.
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 80 Reply 15, posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 884 times:
No HSV, no Newcastle, no N1120A paying attention to the Champions League.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Arsenal@LHR From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 7791 posts, RR: 23 Reply 16, posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 883 times:
Quoting JamieD (Reply 9): We showed that we had plenty of quality in the squad to go far last season, but we've lost Bergkamp, Pirès, Campbell, Reyes (he is a better player than Baptista, period) and Ashley Cole since then, which does worry me a little bit. Not that we haven't got a great squad now, but I feel that it isn't quite as strong as last season
That's what a lot of Arsenal fans are thinking now, we've lost some half a dozen world class players in the last year or so with the only notable replacements being Gallas and Baptista. With Bergkamp, Campbell, Pires, Cole, Vieira and Edu, we had a killer team, arguably the best Arsenal squad assembled in history. The current squad is hugely talented with great potential, but the departure of these players has not gone unnoticed.
I think Vieira is arguably the most sorely-missed player of all the departures. His commanding presence in the middle (and quite often in front of goal) is irreplaceable; not to mention the mental blow of losing the captain. Fabregas is one of, if not the best young player in the world, but his physical presence pales in comparison to Vieira's.
Alas, with such a young squad we do have a lot of potential (as you mentioned), and I think a few weeks of rest will do Henry a world of good, hopefully we'll see him back to his best. Roll on the first knockout round!
Artsyman From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 4741 posts, RR: 43 Reply 18, posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 868 times:
+ The fact that Celtic cannot do anything away from home. So they would need to finish the tie in the 1st leg at Parkhead.
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