UEFA Champions League One week Away!!

[Big Michael]

My favourite competition and probably the highest level of competition
(debate if necessary but really, other than 6 or 7 countries, most national team games really aren't that good) starts in a week, let's get your picks in.
The only real upset I see this round is Lyon over ManU . I wouldn't call Arsenal over Milan or Pool over Inter an upset.

Schalke - Porto Porto
Roma - Real Madrid Real Madrid
Olympiacos - Chelsea Chelsea
Liverpool - Internazionale Pool
Celtic - Barcelona Barca
Lyon - Man. United Lyon
Fenerbahçe - Sevilla Sevilla
Arsenal - Milan Arsenal

 

[the_big_E]

I'll say...

Schalke
Real Madrid
Chelsea
Inter
Barcelona
Man U
Sevilla
Arsenal

But before that gets under way, the HUGE game on Saturday ManU/Arsenal, I think if that game has a winner, then the loser may only have CL to play for, although Arsenal are in a nice league position...so where are those 'Arsenal are going to falter this year and maybe not even finish in the top 4?' haters?

In Arsene we TRUST

Also looks like delayed coverage on TSN:

Feb 20th UEFA Champ. League: Round of 16 - Leg #1: Liverpool vs. Inter Milan 12:00 AM
Feb 20th UEFA Champ. League: Round of 16 - Leg #1: Roma vs. Real Madrid 12:30 PM
Feb 21st UEFA Champ. League: Round of 16 - Leg #1: Celtic vs. Barcelona 3:30 AM
Feb 21st UEFA Champ. League: Round of 16 - Leg #1: Arsenal vs. Milan 12:30 PM

Setanta is showing Olympiakos/Chelsea live on Tuesday, Madrid/Roma on delay, and on Wednesday Lyon/ManU live.

TLN will carry Liverpool/Inter live on Tuesday.

 

[Big Michael]

But before that gets under way, the HUGE game on Saturday ManU/Arsenal, I think if that game has a winner, then the loser may only have CL to play for, although Arsenal are in a nice league position...so where are those 'Arsenal are going to falter this year and maybe not even finish in the top 4?' haters?

In Arsene we TRUST

Also looks like delayed coverage on TSN:

Feb 20th UEFA Champ. League: Round of 16 - Leg #1: Liverpool vs. Inter Milan 12:00 AM
Feb 20th UEFA Champ. League: Round of 16 - Leg #1: Roma vs. Real Madrid 12:30 PM
Feb 21st UEFA Champ. League: Round of 16 - Leg #1: Celtic vs. Barcelona 3:30 AM
Feb 21st UEFA Champ. League: Round of 16 - Leg #1: Arsenal vs. Milan 12:30 PM

Setanta is showing Olympiakos/Chelsea live on Tuesday, Madrid/Roma on delay, and on Wednesday Lyon/ManU live.

TLN will carry Liverpool/Inter live on Tuesday.

Earlier in the year Arsene said that domestics cup are the lowest priority, I will be surprised if all of Cesc, Flamini and Adeybayor play against ManU.

TSN is a joke (Womens Curling ), if they are not going to show games live let one of the other channels show them. I guess there is always the computer.

 

[forumla1]

Arsenal will field a full strength lineup this weekend.

Are you kidding? This FA Cup tie has HUGE psychological ramifications elsewhere. English Premier League Title?

Here are my predictions through:

Porto
Real Madrid
Chelsea
Inter
Barcelona
Man United
Fenerbahçe
Milan

 

[the_big_E]

Arsenal WILL definitely field a strong lineup on Saturday (FSW @Noon btw)

 

[spino1123]

This second round of Champions League play has games that I have dreamed about for years. It should be great.

The big 3 matches.

1) Real Madrid vs Roma. This is going to be an amazing contest. Of all the Serie A teams I think Roma play the best total football and will give Real a serious challenge. Knowing Madrid's away record I think Roma will come away with a tie or win in the first leg. The second leg at the Bernabeu will be an entirely different story and Madrid will probably outscore Roma by 2 or 3 goals and enough to go through.

2) Liverpool vs Internazionale
Unlike 1) this should be a tighter contest, but Inter are on a roll of being undefeated in Serie A and I think they will be too much for a Liverpool that's been disappointing all season.

3) Milan vs Arsenal
Arsenal are too fast for an aging Milan is what the press says. I say bs. They said that last year too when Milan faced Man U and we all know how that turned out. This is Milan's competition and while I don't think they will win again this year, I do think they will get by Arsenal.

Others.
Barcelona beats Celtic, but it won't be as easy as many seem to think.
Chelsea beats Olympiacos
Sevilla beats Fenerbahce
Porto beats Schalke
Man United beats Lyon and hopefully draw Madrid next so we can eliminate them.

 

[Insidious Von]

(trumpet fanfares in the background)

The English press has proclaimed Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest player on the planet. It's settled then, Manchester United will sweep all before them and win this competition with ease.

It appears that Ronaldo's career may be over. He has suffered a re-occurence of the knee tendon injury that sidelined him for two years when he was an Inter player. Considering the intense rehabilitation required and his weigh problem, I don't believe he can return to action. It's a shame, when he wanted to play, he was one of the best.

 

[David Beckham 23]

As long as Man U can face Roma again and give them a beat down like last year, all will be well.

 

[the_big_E]

AC Milan will be without the aforementioned Fatty, Kaka, and possibly Pato...so Arsenal best get a solid win without concedeing any goals on Tuesday.

 

[the_big_E]

Well Arsenal crashed and burned out of the FA Cup. ManU outclassed them in every regard even with a weakened midfield. Cannot believe Fletcher of all people tore them apart. Arsenal didn't even show up at all...the only thing I can take from this performance is that they are still 5 pts up, haha

But at least they didnt lose at home to Barnsley

 

[luckyjackson]

Good picks. Can't wait for the CL to resume...as the original poster noted, it is the best competition on earth.

Saw the ManU game this afternoon, Ferguson obviously knows a hell of a lot about nurturing new talent, but after today, surely Giggs and Scholes will each take on more of a super sub role? Nani and Anderson were out of this world. And increased playing time for Nani and Ronaldo together is good news for my Portugal NT.

 

[VERYBADBOY]

Are we voting who will will the first leg or move on? Here are my predictions for who moves on to the next stage:


Schalke - Porto ... Porto
Schalke04 isnr on their game and are more concerned with Bundes standings about now while Porto has been playing good in the SuperLiga of late.

Roma - Real Madrid ... Real Madrid
I am sure that Totti wants to suck his thumb but RM already has a good lead in LaLiga so this would be icing.

Olympiacos - Chelsea ... Chelsea
I have one word for you ... BLUES !!! Don't forget that African Cup is over as well.

Liverpool - Internazionale ... Inter
The Reds just lost today in a horrible manner so FA Cup is over, Rafa job on the line maybe so this is desperation time for them, however I am an Inter fan and have to stick with my team.

Celtic - Barcelona ... Barca
Also a Barca fan even though Spanish clubs don't do so well in Scotland (Edit) it is a two leg affair. Barca is also my team.

Lyon - Man. United ... ManU
Well Lyon lost today and they pulled Juninho early .... ManU is a lock.

Fenerbahçe - Sevilla ... Sevilla
I don't liek the bees and I always find Sevilla to be a dark horse, so my nod goes to teh Spanairds.

Arsenal - Milan ... Arsenal
Arsenal out played today but against an aging Milan backfield with younger forwards and the loss of Ronaldo thsi could get interesting. However, Milan needs to concentrate at home to secure a spot for next years CL and the revenue gained.

VBB

 

[bullitt]

celtic in tough against a very good barca club. but if the 'hoops' can draw at home, or sneak out a win, hey, you never know. VBB, celtic plays out of glasgow. cheers!

 

[David Beckham 23]

celtic in tough against a very good barca club. but if the 'hoops' can draw at home, or sneak out a win, hey, you never know. VBB, celtic plays out of glasgow. cheers!

It would be one hell of an upset. But you're right. They need to hold tight at home.

 

[VERYBADBOY]

celtic in tough against a very good barca club. but if the 'hoops' can draw at home, or sneak out a win, hey, you never know. VBB, celtic plays out of glasgow. cheers!

Thanks. Sorry for the typo I have editted my post.

I believe that Barca played Rangers earlier on and tied them nil away before taking at home, so it should be good. I hear that Eto'o will not make the trip.

VBB

 

[spino1123]

celtic in tough against a very good barca club. but if the 'hoops' can draw at home, or sneak out a win, hey, you never know. VBB, celtic plays out of glasgow. cheers!

Celtic will put up a good fight against a Barca that's been uninspiring in recent weeks, but no chance. A Barca at even half speed is better than most at full speed.

 

[Big Michael]

Well Arsenal crashed and burned out of the FA Cup. ManU outclassed them in every regard even with a weakened midfield. Cannot believe Fletcher of all people tore them apart. Arsenal didn't even show up at all...the only thing I can take from this performance is that they are still 5 pts up, haha

But at least they didnt lose at home to Barnsley

That was a tough one to take. The scary thing is that could have easily been 8-0. Although ManU were weakened, based on the performances of the replacements, they weren't missing much. What's clear from the game is that Hoyte is not good enough, Traore not ready, Gilberto over the hill, and Eboue is an ass. If any of these four are in the team against Milan, we are in trouble. Considering that Clichy might be the only one coming back it is going to be tricky.

 

[forumla1]

That was a tough one to take. The scary thing is that could have easily been 8-0. Although ManU were weakened, based on the performances of the replacements, they weren't missing much. What's clear from the game is that Hoyte is not good enough, Traore not ready, Gilberto over the hill, and Eboue is an ass. If any of these four are in the team against Milan, we are in trouble. Considering that Clichy might be the only one coming back it is going to be tricky.

Arsenal might very well have to field a couple of those players. Here was Arsenal's injury list this weekend (and no excuse for them getting destroyed):

Manuel Almunia (sick)
Gael Clichy (hamstring)
Denilson (hamstring)
Abou Diaby (calf)
Johan Djourou (groin)
Tomas Rosicky (hamstring)
Bacary Sagna (personal reasons)
Philippe Senderos (knee/thigh)
Robin van Persie (thigh)
Theo Walcott (thigh)

Although Milan is a lil light in the striker position, I expect them to win. Maybe its because I'm a Manchester United fan, and the thought of not playing/ exacting revenge of Milan for the last couple of years would make this years CL win (yes, they can... ) a lil hollow.

It should be a close encounter, but I expect Milan to win.

P.S. Eboue is an absolute asshat. Terrible attitude for a footballer and seems to be purposely injuring/attempting to injury players.

 

[Big Michael]

(and no excuse for them getting destroyed):.

Agreed!


.[/QUOTE]It should be a close encounter, but I expect Milan to win.

[/QUOTE]

Interestingly the last I checked, the bookies gave Arsenal slightly higher odds than Milan to win it. However Barca was favoured over Chelsea and ManU. I would have thought that Real's odds would have been similar to Barca's.

Edit: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...tml?in_article_id=515753&in_page_id=1779&ct=5

 

[the_big_E]

I hate Eboue, I dont know why Arsene keeps him around.

Milan's domestic form isn't very good, while Arsenal are of course leading the league. But Milan always do well in the CL and it will be interesting to see how Arsenal come out after that beatdown.