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Champions League 2011/12

Napoli-Chelsea draw is the one to see for me. The toughest test for Villas-Boas yet. The ones, barring Barça, Bayern and RM (in addition to PLF's view), are all pretty unpredictable and they would be exciting to see as well.
 
Artem said:
:CRY: ...


On the contrary, Lyon got a very, very hard draw, because Apoel is very strong and well balanced, as shown by the group stage matches. And if Lyon will underestimate them, it is likely Apoel kick ass Lyon in France and a Cyprus ...

P.S ... I hope it would happen. :D
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That's true, Apoel might be strong and all... but would you've fancied Lyon's chances more against other opposition such as Barcelona, Chelsea, Bayern, Inter, Arsenal? I don't think this is about calling Apoel shit, it's about avoiding the big guns - which Lyon managed.

My bet would be that no matter how good Apoel are, their lack of experience will show and they'll bottle up.

I'm kinda (for the first time in my life) hoping for a Clásico in the quarter finals. It's a two-sided coin. On the one-hand, seeing as these two (one experienced and commanding, the other one really hungry for glory) will probably meet at some point, I'd much prefer it being early. No sense in playing a lot of matches, getting hopes up before being eliminated by your biggest rival.

On the other hand, if one of them is eliminated early on it'll be a great incentive to simply run off with the rest of La Liga, which (in a way) isn't fair to the other one which might play the CL all the way thus have MUCH more important business than an Osasuna fixture, for example. It'd also be nice for them to meet in an european final. And if that were to be - both of them would have to stay fully concentrated till the end of the league.

The Spanish Cup system is an interesting one and it favours going far in european competitions. Almost all of the Spanish Cup will be played in the european winter break, so that won't clog up their schedule come spring.

I hope I'm not offending anyone by only talking about "these two" and thus dis-considering all other teams, but this year I kinda fear any elimination of them other than by the rival's feet to be somewhat accidental. Possible, but accidental.

why?
(Given the Barça-Milan, Real-Milan, Barça-Arsenal encounters in recent years one should see why this is. Yes, Milan owned Real a few times -made my day back then- but this is a different Real, different and Mourinho-ic coach - i actually expect Real to walk over adversaries more than Barcelona; they have the fresh play other teams haven't met yet, they're developing their style and Barcelona's game would be more commanding and in charge, but not as spectacular score-wise. See Barcelona's 'fresh' season where they 4-5-goaled Bayern, Sporting, Lyon, mostly by half-time of the first leg)
 
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Zlatan's played real classy football throughout the first half and Prince's goal was amazing once again!

Good match so far.
 
Zlatan could score the last two chances like nothing. I think that Milan players deserve his anger from time to time. Man, he's like a boss.
 
He is still shit in the English media.

Thiago Silva is a beast. Damn! That was some sick defending.
 
It's his calmness in controlling any situation. Thought Emanuelsen started poorly but then showed that he truly is a useful and versatile player.
 
It is a pity, but it seems that for Arshavin and Co (:P) is the end ... Although, anything is possible and I think that Arsenal try to score five goals in Milan's gates at native stands, good luck Arsenal! :D
 
Benfica is a real bullshit.That team haven't any portuguese player in they squad. There are 2 goals which is a mistake by Zhevnov nothing more.
 
Zenit88 said:
Benfica is a real bullshit.That team haven't any portuguese player in they squad. There are 2 goals which is a mistake by Zhevnov nothing more.
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Well, I wasn't to comment but since you posted that in two different topics... Benfica has portuguese players, obviously. Most of them have been on the bench due to tough competition. For example, Nelson Oliveira is a very promising striker (one of the best players in last under20 WC), but he doesn't get much playing time because he has Cardozo (check his numbers for Benfica), Saviola, Rodrigo (I'm sure he'll be one of the best forwards in the world) and even Aimar ahead of him.
Last season we had Ruben Amorim, Nuno Gomes, Carlos Martins, Fábio Coentrão and others...so that's a moment.

That 'bullshit' team you mentioned, has 32 national titles, 24 national cups, 2 european cups in 8 european finals. One of the 12 top teams in the world in XX century, for FIFA. The club in the world with most official members (nearly 250'000) and with european titles in several other sports.
All this was achieved with the fans support, and only fans support. The club was born poor (making our best players leave to join a new prosperous club called Sporting Lisbon), and Benfica fans helped creating our stadium by donation or working on it.

So, it's quite easy for you to say that when you have Gazprom behind you. If that was the case, Benfica (or any other portuguese club) hadn't to sell its best players (like Coentrão or Simão for example) to keep our finances balanced.
I think it's much more unfair teams having money injections (like Man City, PSG or Chelsea) than teams playing with several foreigners.

If it was decided to go back to the 3 foreigners limitation, portuguese teams would be the ones celebrating. I would take that any day! Portugal creates lots of good players, and we would be able to keep some of our best. Besides, portuguese teams are one of the best 'working' young prospects from abroad.
 
#71 said:
Well, I wasn't to comment but since you posted that in two different topics... Benfica has portuguese players, obviously. Most of them have been on the bench due to tough competition. For example, Nelson Oliveira is a very promising striker (one of the best players in last under20 WC), but he doesn't get much playing time because he has Cardozo (check his numbers for Benfica), Saviola, Rodrigo (I'm sure he'll be one of the best forwards in the world) and even Aimar ahead of him.
Last season we had Ruben Amorim, Nuno Gomes, Carlos Martins, Fábio Coentrão and others...so that's a moment.

That 'bullshit' team you mentioned, has 32 national titles, 24 national cups, 2 european cups in 8 european finals. One of the 12 top teams in the world in XX century, for FIFA. The club in the world with most official members (nearly 250'000) and with european titles in several other sports.
All this was achieved with the fans support, and only fans support. The club was born poor (making our best players leave to join a new prosperous club called Sporting Lisbon), and Benfica fans helped creating our stadium by donation or working on it.

So, it's quite easy for you to say that when you have Gazprom behind you. If that was the case, Benfica (or any other portuguese club) hadn't to sell its best players (like Coentrão or Simão for example) to keep our finances balanced.
I think it's much more unfair teams having money injections (like Man City, PSG or Chelsea) than teams playing with several foreigners.

If it was decided to go back to the 3 foreigners limitation, portuguese teams would be the ones celebrating. I would take that any day! Portugal creates lots of good players, and we would be able to keep some of our best. Besides, portuguese teams are one of the best 'working' young prospects from abroad.
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Do not worry about this stupid post, mate, there are many dull-witted fans who are willing to offend even the great clubs as soon as possible. :ROLL:
 
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Thanks Artem! I know that most fans have respect in both ways ;) I was just explaining why nowadays football make it harder for us to have more portuguese players on the lineup.
Like I said in Zenit topic, I think it will be a fascinating 2nd leg, I'm really hopeful we can get through but if we don't, I'll congratulate and wish you the best for the rest of the competition, I enjoy your football and know how much it would mean to you.

Besides, as I remember, Juce is also a Zenit fan so... I couldn't possibly wish you bad, eheh ;)
 
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#71 said:
Thanks Artem! I know that most fans have respect in both ways ;) I was just explaining why nowadays football make it harder for us to have more portuguese players on the lineup.
Like I said in Zenit topic, I think it will be a fascinating 2nd leg, I'm really hopeful we can get through but if we don't, I'll congratulate and wish you the best for the rest of the competition, I enjoy your football and know how much it would mean to you.

Besides, as I remember, Juce is also a Zenit fan so... I couldn't possibly wish you bad, eheh ;)
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Thanks a ton again, mate, look forward to the second part of this great match. ;)
 
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:SHOCK: This is phenomenal, I congratulate all the fans of CSKA it's really a grand result! Now waiting March's "Miracle at the Bernabeu". :BSCARF::RSCARF:
 
Another late goal by CSKA! Real know how Lille feel now!

Now it's time for the match we've all been waiting weeks for!

I say Napoli 3 - 1 Chelsea. Hell if that happens, I make a ton of money because I've put $35 on it but if it hits, I make $550! :D

Hope to see a good match and I think it should be!
 
am I wrong or Cavani just scored with his shoulder?? :CONFUSE:

oh and PLF everything's going your way man wish you good luck with the final result! :)
 
Hahha yeah thanks bro, maybe even that silly mistake by Cannavaro was all part of the 'bigger plans' of god for me! :LOL: :P

To be honest, it's still a long-shot but I can see Napoli playing safer and more solid now and nicking a late goal on counter-attack to make it 3-1 so I am optimistic.

And if it wasn't for Cech, this game couldv'e already been out of reach while Chelsea's goal has come off a terrible mistake/bad pitch so Napoli so far clearly the better team and well deserving of their lead. I think they can and should stretch that lead now though.

Win or lose, what's for sure is this match has so far lived up to the hype! Great stuff and anyone not seeing it would be missing out! Napoli look MENACING on the attack!
 
:) completely agree with you. games of napoli vs a big team have always been turning out to be extremely enjoyable matches. Ive been looking forward to the big matches of this passionate team all season long. oh and Lavezzi missed, so close! man you must be scared :P this uptempo game looks too much for a 3-1.

edit: and it's 3-1. now the scary minutes begin for PLF. hold on Napoli! :D

edit2: and it's over! congratulations bro! one hell of a prediction that was! just wow! :SAL:

p.s. I guess you're the only human being on planet earth who can possibly love Ashley Cole atm. :LMAO:
 
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