Champions League Draw

[a;sdlfkjas;df]

x  x  x  xxx .. all left backs

you can't be serious

Obvious sarcasm

this is the internet.  you can never be so sure

don't you remember the "soccer strategy" thread?

[manutd.]

Sorry, I don't think Chelsea will do that bad at Stamford Bridge. Hiddink is a great manager, Chelsea will be lucky if he decides to stay.

[a;sdlfkjas;df]

I actually think they can if Gerrard is ready to go

3-1 to tie, 3-0 to win at stamford bridge w/guus hiddink in charge

not so much

[manutd.]

If Torres scores goals like he did last game in the EPL, then maybe, but the fact that it's against Chelsea and at the Bridge, no way.

Liverpool's hopes of winning trophies again are slowly being crushed.

[cigar omar]

Essien shuts Gerrard down again and the tie is pretty much settled. Time to start preparing for the Barcelona game.

I love this part of the season.

[manutd.]

Barca v Chelsea should be great, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, anything can happen, despite the odds.

I really hope United win, they've been playing shit lately and there is absolutely no defense. I miss Hargreaves, he can at least help out the defense instead of Ronaldo just walking back slowly, although last game he had quite a few defensive interceptions.

I hope Macheda gets some playing time too.

[manutd.]

I forgot about that Bolton 3 goal game at the Bridge the other day.. obviously Reina didn't:

Goalkeeper Jose Reina insists Liverpool have the ability to overturn Chelsea's lead and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Liverpool trail 3-1 from the first leg of their quarter-final at Anfield and now need to score at least three goals at Stamford Bridge to turn the tie in their favour.

That is something Liverpool have not achieved at Stamford Bridge in two decades.

But, inspired by Bolton's three goals in nine minutes against Chelsea at the weekend, the Champions League final comeback against AC Milan in Istanbul four years ago and their 4-1 drubbing of Manchester United at Old Trafford this season, Reina says the Reds are far from finished.

"Istanbul should be the inspiration for us," said Reina. "We know that the tie is really difficult, but still we have hope.

"We know already that if anyone can turn this around, it's Liverpool.

"There is always something to exploit. Everybody, every team, has weak points.

"It's going to be difficult, but there is still hope. We have plenty of things to lose, but already we're losing 3-1.

"The clear favourites are Chelsea and it's in their hands, probably. If we play a fantastic, really brilliant game and they have a bad day, then of course we'll have some chances.

"We have to attack and score three goals. Even if we concede one, we'll have the chance to go to extra-time. We have to attack, that's clear. And we'll go for that.

"We have the game at Old Trafford as a big example. We won 4-1 and no-one expected us to do that. We know already it's going to be almost impossible, but if there's someone who can do it, it's going to be Liverpool."

Coach Rafa Benitez believes his side can pull off yet another amazing comeback but the Spaniard rejected suggestions that it would be better than their victory against AC Milan in the final.

"Istanbul was maybe the best ever final in the Champions League in terms of emotion," said the Spaniard. "It would be a fantastic achievement for everyone, but a final is a final.

"We have to believe and think we can win. We have the experience of Old Trafford. We can score goals away against the top sides. We have to approach this game believing we can do well.

"We know Chelsea really well. It's a question of being ready. If we score an early goal, there might be extra motivation for the players."

Benitez is reluctant to use the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster as a motivational tool but he concedes the emotion of the week could inspire both players and fans.

"It's an important week for our fans and the club," added Benitez. "We have some players who have been here a long time, and it could be an inspiration for them in this game.

"The fans will be behind the team because of the game and we can achieve something now linked with the Hillsborough memorial."

But Benitez is not banking on Chelsea making the kind of defensive mistakes they did against Bolton in the final 20 minutes of their 4-3 win at the weekend.

"They were winning, so they made some mistakes," said Benitez. "But it was a different situation. We know they can make mistakes and we can exploit this.

"The first goal will be important for either side but, for us, it would be a massive difference.

"In football, you never know what's going to happen. At this moment, we have nothing to lose. They will be under pressure because they have to win.

"But, still, we're talking about players with experience in the Champions League and the Premier League. It's a question of whether we can score that first goal. We have nothing to lose."

[cigar omar]

Chelseas offence will be the key. Carvalliho is getting back to fitness he might not be 100%. I can never trust Alex either. Terry is suspended.

Yes Chelseas defence will be very shaky I rember the way Torres ate up United makeshift defence.

But I trust Essien to keep Gerrard out of the game. Essien is a phenomenal specimen.  :pimp:

Chelsea just need an early goal.



Porto v United is the game I look most forward to.

[a;sdlfkjas;df]

Porto v United is the game I look most forward to.

i liked united in this. the players will be afraid of the teacups and cleats that will rain down upon them should they lose.  plus, i don't see them playing that badly two cl games in a row.

[Sule]

BUT
Porto has never lost at home to English Opposition and in Europe they have lost, but barely ever really

The Dragao is a bloody fortress for Porto and if they play like they can (assuming that they can repeat their first leg performance seeing as they're playing at home ie. advantage) then i wouldnt be surprised if porto won again

My guess is AT BEST FOR MAN UTD 2-2/1-1

[a;sdlfkjas;df]

Porto has never lost at home to English Opposition and in Europe they have lost, but barely ever really

yeah, i know.  i just can't bet against united.  nothing behind it, just a hunch

[TAHA95]

comon everyone lets face it,liverpool has no chance.Dont forget chelsea's record at the bridge,its something like lost only 2 games in 97 matches or something like that.I know liverpool is a very strong side with torres and gerrard,who are iincluded in the worlds best players list but gerrard has no chance of doing anything if essien doesn't leaves him.liverpools squad has quality and they could have done this against odds like aston villa or everton,a lil small sides,but they have no chance against chelsea after they lost 3-1 at anfield,remember that 4-1 thumping of united...........they only did it after they had won the game at anfield and the of real madrid after they had one the first game.
my point is the way u people say liverpool unleashes itself is only when it has won the match played with the opposition last time.