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Soccer => Soccer Forum => Topic started by: Adi on Feb 18, 2008, 12:56: PM

Title: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Adi on Feb 18, 2008, 12:56: PM
(http://www.fcfootballblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/uefa-champions-league-balls.jpg)


TUESDAY MATCHES:

Schalke   - Porto
Roma - Real Madrid
Olympiacos - Chelsea   
Liverpool - Internazionale   


WEDNESDAY MATCHES:

Celtic - Barcelona
Lyon - Man. United
Fenerbahçe - Sevilla   
Arsenal   - Milan


TOP GOAL SCORERS:

5 - Zlatan Ibrahimovic   (Internazionale)
5 - Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United)
4 - Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
4 - Ruud van Nistelrooy   (Real Madrid)
4 - Robinho (Real Madrid)
4 - Filippo Inzaghi (Milan)
4 - Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
4 - Liedson (Sporting)

Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: manutd. on Feb 18, 2008, 01:23: PM
Good thread Adi. I'm hoping we can face Milan again.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: cigar omar on Feb 18, 2008, 01:27: PM
Oh goody I can't wait for this.

here are my predictions.

Schalke 1   - Porto 1
Roma 0 - Real Madrid 0
Olympiacos 0 - Chelsea  1
Liverpool 0 - Internazionale   2


Celtic 1 - Barcelona 0
Lyon 2 - Man. United 1
Fenerbahçe 2 - Sevilla   3
Arsenal  1 - Milan 2

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Feb 18, 2008, 01:59: PM
celtic beating barca i hope that happens.
here are mine.

Schalke 0   - Porto 1
Roma 2 - Real Madrid 2
Olympiacos 0 - Chelsea  1
Liverpool 1 - Internazionale   2


Celtic 1 - Barcelona 1
Lyon 2 - Man. United 1
Fenerbahçe 2 - Sevilla   3
Arsenal  1 - Milan 2


Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Feb 18, 2008, 03:28: PM
Schalke 0   - Porto 1
Roma 0 - Real Madrid 2
Olympiacos 0 - Chelsea  3
Liverpool 0 - Internazionale   3


Celtic 1 - Barcelona 2
Lyon 0 - Man. United 1
Fenerbahçe 2 - Sevilla   3
Arsenal  1 - Milan 0

Arsenal at home, hopefully it gives them enough momentum to win
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Tito on Feb 18, 2008, 04:46: PM
Schalke 1   - Porto 1
Roma 2 - Real Madrid 1
Olympiacos 0 - Chelsea  2
Liverpool 1 - Internazionale   3


Celtic 1 - Barcelona 0
Lyon 2 - Man. United 1
Fenerbahçe 2 - Sevilla   1
Arsenal  2 - Milan 1
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Feb 18, 2008, 07:40: PM
i like everybodys opinion on the inter vs liverpool game. i just hope these predictions become reality
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: manutd. on Feb 19, 2008, 07:31: AM
Schalke 1   - Porto 1
Roma 0 - Real Madrid 2
Olympiacos 1 - Chelsea  1
Liverpool 1 - Internazionale   2


Celtic 1 - Barcelona 1
Lyon 1 - Man. United 3
Fenerbahçe 2 - Sevilla   1
Arsenal  2 - Milan 1
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: manutd. on Feb 19, 2008, 08:05: AM
Some results for ya..

Liverpool 2 - 0 Inter  [ Kuyt and Gerrard scored in the final 5 minutes against 10-man Inter ]
Roma 2 - 1 Madrid  [ Mancini scores the game-winning goal to make a full comeback ]
Schalke 1 - 0 Porto  [Kuranyi's 4th minute strike was enough to hand Schalke the win ]
Olympiacos 0 - 0 Chelsea  [Despite an entertaining match, both sides settle for a draw ]
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Urban_freestyler on Feb 19, 2008, 09:05: AM
Liverpool prove it again in the CL great result, gerrard rallied the troops again carried the team on his shoulders and topped off with a deserved goal.

Bring on the San siro!
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Tito on Feb 19, 2008, 09:10: AM
i got the ROma game right with mny prediction suck that Moby and Madrid4life
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: samatar on Feb 19, 2008, 01:18: PM
I had a feeling inter would lose.they must score 3 goals to go through now.
expect liverpool to defend like crazy.

As much as i hate saying this i got some feeling that arsenal could end up defeating Milan.
Milan have a major problem in the goal keeping department. dida has a back injury so his out, Kalac will struggle to overcome a dislocated finger in time.Which leaves Third-choice keeper Valerio Fiori who's last game was in 2003.His been in Milan for about 8 years and has only made the first teem twice.

plus Kaka,Seedorf and Pato have all just recovered from injuries.

milan are not in the best condition right now. :down: :down: :down:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Feb 19, 2008, 07:52: PM
f**k this s**t.

materazzi didn't deserve to get sent off. and our best defender cordoba injured his knee. i hope inter can reverse this agreegate at home.

mancini made a few coaching mistakes. stankovic was playing like an amature he should of have replaced him with crespo to get some fire power upfront instead of the lonely ibrahimovic. and inter needed some body in between the strickers and midfeilders so thye could set up the strickers. samatar inter were also defending like crazy and we still conceded so i hope the same happens at the san siro
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Tito on Feb 19, 2008, 08:55: PM
look at the big picture Real Madrid lost  :cheers:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Sander on Feb 20, 2008, 04:20: AM
i watched liverpool - inter last night and in the 80th minute i thought: what a boring match, i go to bed. 15 min later i'm on my computer and i read that liverpool won with 2-0  :cursing: i missed both goals  :angry:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: manutd. on Feb 20, 2008, 06:37: AM
Halftime:

United 0 - 0 Lyon
Celtic 2 - 1 Barca
Arsenal 0 - 0 AC Milan
Fenerbahce 1 - 1 Sevilla
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: cigar omar on Feb 20, 2008, 06:45: AM
I got a bet on that Celtic v Barcelona game Celtic better keep this up. Its actually 1-1 between Sevila and Fenerbahce one of the Fener defenders turned a cross into his own net.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: manutd. on Feb 20, 2008, 06:46: AM
Mistake fixed.  :thumbsup:

Would be good for Celtic to win. Imagine both the Spanish powerhouses gone this round.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: cigar omar on Feb 20, 2008, 06:48: AM
Barcelona yes I'd love to see that  :thumbsup: Real I don't know its pretty much head or tails between them and Roma.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Megakid on Feb 20, 2008, 07:36: AM
Oo, Adebayor hit the bar at the last few seconds, very unlucky :bang:.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: manutd. on Feb 20, 2008, 07:37: AM
Well, we drew with Lyon, wasn't our best, but it's good enough to bring back to Old Trafford.  :thumbsup:



I think Barca won, eh melbourne?  :down:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Feb 20, 2008, 08:15: AM
Barcalona won. Thierry Henry had a brilliant goal.


Adebayor...last second, last chance. Theo Walcott beat Maldini to the touch line, a beautiful cross. Adebayor, virtually wide open, nails the header on to the cross bar. Milan had maybe 2 shots the whole game, compared to maybe 15 of Arsenals. The keeper was on his game.  Flamini completely shut down Kaka. Fabregas absolutely owned the middle of the field. Arsenal should be dissapointed that they did not capitalize, but happy they did not let in an away goal. I did not think Eboue dived. There was enough contact for a player to fall after a quick change of direction; the replay showed the knees clashing.

I hear Benzema scored for Lyon, what an ace he is.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: manutd. on Feb 20, 2008, 08:16: AM
He was good, but Juninho impressed me. I liked the little competion he and Ronaldo were having. They'd pat eachother on the back after each of their free-kicks.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Feb 20, 2008, 08:24: AM
You've just been impressed with Juninho? He's been the best freekick taker for a while.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: manutd. on Feb 20, 2008, 08:25: AM
Haven't paid much attention to him to be honest.

I love his long range shots though, I remember you showing me a video of his free-kicks a while back.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Feb 20, 2008, 08:27: AM
I wonder if Melbourne has watched Messi's performance from today; he is always wondering why Messi is better than Drogba.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: cigar omar on Feb 20, 2008, 08:34: AM
I would have tuned in to see this Messi character play but I realized that he hasn't scored so far this year. Thought it would be a wast of 90 minutes anxiously waiting for him to score. Didn't know it would be the lads lucky day.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Golomejic on Feb 20, 2008, 08:36: AM
I hear Benzema scored for Lyon, what an ace he is.

Indeed! Marvelous goal.


Milan looked off pace.

Flamini :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Feb 20, 2008, 08:20: PM
for a while i thought arsenal were the experienced side. they really played well shame they couldn't get a goal. kaka and seedorf were sealed off perfectly and this denied pato the ball. adebayor is an excellent striker. he rans more then i expected. barca deserved to lose. and melbourne it was edu with the own goal
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: samatar on Feb 21, 2008, 12:11: AM
thats a good result for Milan when you consider the way arsenal played.

it was a good match for a 0-0 draw.

to be fare to Kaka and Seedorf they did just comback from injuries.

Melbourne messi is the future of Argentinean football not riquelme. :booty:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: cigar omar on Feb 21, 2008, 12:20: AM
Look at all these kids taking verbal jabs at the king trying to make names fo them selves.  O0
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Feb 21, 2008, 05:08: AM
Messi is the future of Argentine soccer. Riquleme wasn't even the past :lol:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Feb 22, 2008, 12:56: PM
now thats a joke. riquleme is argentinian football. i am sure he will live on as one of the greats of the game.

now i do belive this is the champs league thread so get back to topic
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Adi on Feb 26, 2008, 06:07: AM
Milan just robbed Arsenal in daylight. That was Arsenal's chance to take at least a 2-goal lead into the second leg. Unlucky...

Inter is shit in the Champions League somehow. I really don't get it. How can a team dominate the Italian league and then continuously struggle in the CL. They've done it for years now. I remember watching them play in both of their legs against Bayern Munich last year... they were very average. Bayern was in poor form, yet they handled Inter without much trouble.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Feb 27, 2008, 05:43: PM
adi you broke my heart again. but your right lets just hope inter can chage that at the san siro.

hey aren't both milan and inter playing at the san siro. so the san siro will be used two days in a row right.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: cigar omar on Feb 27, 2008, 05:47: PM
No Inter will have to play in a high school playground across the street.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Feb 27, 2008, 07:56: PM
hahaha oh you made my day melbourne  :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

you legend +1 karma
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: VG on Feb 29, 2008, 06:34: AM
Doesn't matter where they play your still gonaa lose to Liverpool  :rockit: :lol: , can you guess im a liverpool fan  :thumbsup:

Bring it on Inter :boxing:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Feb 29, 2008, 06:05: PM
ok VG you wanna play like that. we will just have to see the score line inter will win in wether its 3-0 or 4-0
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: VG on Mar 01, 2008, 02:28: AM
it should be an intresting game at least because Inter have to actually come out and attack this game which will also mean they have a weaker defense than last game so, i wonder if inter will attack hard first half try and get teh goals there and then defend second half or just mix it up, will be very intresting.

But still your other centreback will be sent off this time  :lol:, and we'll get a referre who'll call penalties like vierras.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Mar 01, 2008, 11:33: AM
haha i laughted hard that match soo many penalties that were not called. mancini seems to be making mistakes the way i saw it in the first leg stankovic was playing shit and he should of have subed him for a stricker to try to get an away goal. in the second leg i think he should play all out attack first half and in the second play balanced so not to concede
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: manutd. on Mar 04, 2008, 06:33: AM
United 1 - 0 Lyon

Halftime

Ronaldo 41'

:)
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Rude on Mar 04, 2008, 06:36: AM
Wonderful game by arsenal so far, flamini is taking the shit out of kaka :biggrin: :cheers:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Chunkchenko on Mar 04, 2008, 08:01: AM
im never watching football again. its all a fix and the ball is on a string  :bang: and the players are all actors.

just joking lol but that milan game was painful to watch.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Mar 04, 2008, 08:56: AM
Simply FABULAS :thumbsup:


Arsenal does what United couldn't do last year, by dumping the DEFENDING champions out. 2-0

Fabregas in the 88th and Adebayor in injury time.

 :banana:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Chunkchenko on Mar 04, 2008, 10:24: AM
Simply FABULAS :thumbsup:


Arsenal does what United couldn't do last year, by dumping the DEFENDING champions out. 2-0

Fabregas in the 88th and Adebayor in injury time.

 :banana:

if i wasnt drinking a hot chocolate and eating marshmellows right now i would have banned you for this filth :down: consider yourself lucky.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Mar 04, 2008, 10:55: AM
Filth. It was brilliance. :booty:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Mar 04, 2008, 02:49: PM

Here is highlights. Adebayor looked sharp, Fabregas controlled Milan. Kaka was again shut down by Flamini, and Walcott came on and looks like his form continues to elevate.

This is the biggest victory of the season. First English team to EVER beat Milan at the San Siro :hello:

This is good confidence for the Arsenal.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Mar 04, 2008, 07:42: PM
what a match. adebayor was just stunning. i just knew arsenal would of have won this. milan didn't look like champions.

fabregas was playing excellent. kalac was not in top form i think dida would of have done better. he reacted really late to that fabregas shot. dont take credit from fabregas wonderful shot. walcot is very good when he cam on in the first leg he set up adebayor for that header that hit the post. and now he set him up again but this time for a goal. ha will definatly be the one to watch in 08.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: manutd. on Mar 04, 2008, 10:23: PM
Video is no longer available. I'll update my thread with highlights though. ;)

Congrats to Arsenal, seems like they played a hell of a match. I wish I could see the Milan fans.. oops, sorry Chunk. ;)

I sort of wanted Milan to win, so that it's more European and we could have a second chance, but mighty Arsenal finally fixed their problems and got back on form.


United played well, we attacked right off the bat, and controlled the 1st half. It should have been 3-0. Bring on the FA Cup!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Rude on Mar 05, 2008, 05:51: AM
what a match. adebayor was just stunning. i just knew arsenal would of have won this. milan didn't look like champions.

fabregas
was playing excellent. kalac was not in top form i think dida would of have done better. he reacted really late to that fabregas shot. dont take credit from fabregas wonderful shot. walcot is very good when he cam on in the first leg he set up adebayor for that header that hit the post. and now he set him up again but this time for a goal. ha will definatly be the one to watch in 08.

Wot about flamini?  :stupid:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: manutd. on Mar 05, 2008, 07:55: AM
Real Madrid is out.

Real Madrid 1 - 2 Roma
Chelsea 3 - 0 Olympiacos
Porto 1 - 0 Schalke - In Extra Time!
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Mar 05, 2008, 01:40: PM
Pepe was the worst signing for Madrid. He seemed like he'd be a decent back...but I knew he'd F up. Madrid had the game until he got sent off.

So we have:

Roma
Chelsea
Arsenal
Manchester
Porto
Roma
Barcalona
Liverpool/Inter Milan

If Arsenal draws United, chaos will erupt. Hopefully a draw against Porto or Roma. They are "easier" than anyone else would be. But this is the Champions League.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Chunkchenko on Mar 05, 2008, 03:01: PM
Pepe was the worst signing for Madrid. He seemed like he'd be a decent back...but I knew he'd F up. Madrid had the game until he got sent off.

So we have:

Roma
Chelsea
Arsenal
Manchester
Porto
Roma
Barcalona
Liverpool/Inter Milan

If Arsenal draws United, chaos will erupt. Hopefully a draw against Porto or Roma. They are "easier" than anyone else would be. But this is the Champions League.

Schalke beat them on penalties also theres Fenerbache.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Tito on Mar 05, 2008, 03:16: PM
Viva Roma suck on that Moby and Madrid4life hahahahaha
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: cigar omar on Mar 05, 2008, 04:52: PM
Damn we won I was hoping Olypiacos would shame us.  :down:

Elite Roma will arse rape Arsenal IMO you better hop for Schelka actually none of these teams are easy.. My brothers in Istanbul, Fenerbache FTW.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Mar 05, 2008, 05:52: PM
I doubt Roma would do that.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Mar 05, 2008, 08:02: PM
roma played well. madrid were without key player like sergio romas, snjider, van nistelrooy and robben. roma played will very defensive and good counter attacks. the young shalka keeper did wonderfull. three saves in like his first few matches.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: samatar on Mar 05, 2008, 10:59: PM
Thank god we loss.

Milan has no choice now they must at least sign 3 or 4 players next season.

It’s good that Milan loss in away because team must change. milan need to improve the team with young players Age is catching up with Milan.
This has got to get the attention of the coach that Milan’s average age is about 34 not 25. Milan has no choice now they must at least sign 3 or 4 players now. Because if we some how won the champions league or at least reach the semis, the squad would remain the same. They would have kept the same old squad thinking that there still good to go for another seasons. Don’t get me wrong there top players but age is catching up. Milan needs some young players in the squad. Milan shouldn't go for a short term solution buying big players that have passed there prime we should look at the example (arsenal).
If you remember a couple of years ago they had an old team although not as old as Milan but an aging team. They’ve sold the majority of that starting line. Arsenals are a completely different team with player young guns such as Fabregas and Flamini leading the way. Just imagine if arsenal made no changes over the years, you would still have Pires, Viera, Sole Campbell, Freddie ljungberg, Henry in the team. That’s where Milan is at this stage.

I’m not a sore loser
Congrats to arsenal :bowdown:

They outplayed us. :angry: :angry: :angry:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Adi on Mar 06, 2008, 05:35: AM
Looks like Milan will get Mourinho for sure now. YES! Time for Milan to win the league next year.

Oh, and so much for Kaka. He was nowhere to be seen in both games. Not only that, but he hasn't been that great this season. Just thought I'd put it out there for all those of you who say Kaka is untouchable and that he's on another level than Ronaldo. :rolleyes:

I can't believe Schalke is still in it. They are maybe the 3rd or 4th best team in Germany and are the only ones left. :saywhat:

Madrid... fuck off! You are not as good as you think you are. This loss to Roma just showed it. I think Madrid is just a tad bit better than what they were over the past 5 years. But they are nowhere near their quality from the early 2000s or late 90s as many people seem to think they are this season.

Oh, and lets give Fenerbahce some credit. They gave us a hell of a round with Sevilla. I think they are rather underrated. They got some talent and the addition of Roberto Carlos surely helped. They just can't let their Turkish heads get to them. Gotta stay professional and not act like idiots if things start going against them.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Mar 06, 2008, 05:45: AM
Kaka was better last year. However the brililance of Flamini :biggrin: has almost gifted Ronaldo the world player of the year. It will take some player to take it away from him this year. Messi is out injured for a few months.

It seems inevitable that Mourinho will land at AC Milan. Hopefully he won't be seeing UEFA Cup action :lol:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Adi on Mar 06, 2008, 06:00: AM
It seems inevitable that Mourinho will land at AC Milan. Hopefully he won't be seeing UEFA Cup action :lol:

Pull a Bayern.

It's helped us. Maybe it'll do the same for Milan. :lol:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Chunkchenko on Mar 06, 2008, 06:17: AM
It seems inevitable that Mourinho will land at AC Milan. Hopefully he won't be seeing UEFA Cup action :lol:

Pull a Bayern.

It's helped us. Maybe it'll do the same for Milan. :lol:

Milan will be very lucky to get CL Fiorentina look almost certain to get 4th spot with Milans current performance and aging problems. but UEFA cup wouldnt be too bad  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: manutd. on Mar 06, 2008, 07:11: AM
AC Milan in the UEFA Cup, just 2 years after winning the CL? Horrifying.  :dontknow:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: cigar omar on Mar 06, 2008, 10:31: AM
I doubt Roma would do that.
I respect what Arsen did with this team. But I don't think they have what it takes to go all the way, lack of experience is their major problem. I got this feeling Arsenal will flop in a few big games this season. PS AS Roma play a with a packed midfield without a regular striker similar to what Arsenal do. Roma have experienced players Di Rossi and Manccini for example are just as good as any Arsenal midfielder. I don't think Arsenal can overwhelm them with their crowded midifield.   
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Mar 06, 2008, 12:58: PM
I doubt Roma would do that.
I respect what Arsen did with this team. But I don't think they have what it takes to go all the way, lack of experience is their major problem. I got this feeling Arsenal will flop in a few big games this season. PS AS Roma play a with a packed midfield without a regular striker similar to what Arsenal do. Roma have experienced players Di Rossi and Manccini for example are just as good as any Arsenal midfielder. I don't think Arsenal can overwhelm them with their crowded midifield.  

You're guess is as good as mine. Arsenal's lack of expirience has them in the quarterfinals of the Champions League after defeating the defending champions of the tournament and ahead of defending English league champions with about 10 games to go in the league. Looking at thier "lack" of expirience isn't what will determine if they "flop". What is key to the Arsenal team is injuries. If Arsenal can keep thier players healthy, and gain back Rosicky and Toure, I do not see any team that is really that much better. If Adebayor had Van Persie along his side, it would be an even more deadly attack force; can't count on Van Persie much. If he could somehow get fit enough to see out this season, it would boost Arsenal's chances greatly. Sure, they may lose, but they sure as hell will not go down easily; they are a tough team to beat, obviously since they've only lost once in the league.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Mar 06, 2008, 10:45: PM
i too once said that arsenal's lack of experience would cost them everything. but i ate my words. arsenal have suprised many of as. i can see them somewhere in the semis or finals
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Adi on Mar 12, 2008, 06:41: AM
Thinking about it, experience shouldn't be much of an issue. All the players have played at the big level and have played against top teams in the world. Hell, most of them have played crucial games at the World Cup. In this respect, I don't think experience really matters. It's just another big game against a big opponent.

What really does make the difference is tactics and the smartness of players. Liverpool and Milan are some of the best at it and that's why they win so much in Europe. The tactical side of the game is what could've cost them, but Wenger did well to get the best out of his players. When Arsenal plays up to par, they are extremely hard to beat, but when they have their off day, their flair really suffers and can cause them loses. Sides like Liverpool and Milan that have an off day in Europe often over come this by sitting in well and playing tactical football.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: ^_^ on Mar 12, 2008, 11:59: AM
When Arsenal has an off day, you get a feeling that they will draw the game about 30 minutes in to it. They don't have the strength at the back without Toure to make sure they do not conceed late goals.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Mar 12, 2008, 08:25: PM
lack of experience means being nervouse and that means more likely chance of making a mistake.
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: Tito on Mar 12, 2008, 09:01: PM
i want United blood  :cursing:
Title: Re: Champions League - First Knockout Round
Post by: moby on Mar 12, 2008, 09:05: PM
same here. but if inter is not in it.it is not worth watching