Re: Champions League - 2004/5
Ahhhhh, finallly, after the lonnnnnnng winter break, the Champions League resumes nexty week with the knockout stages. There are some tantalising ties lined up, I just can't wait.
MM
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
Chelsea-Barca, Milan-ManU and Real-Juve clashes are ummy indeed.
My predictions for the first Leg.
Chelsea - Barca --> Barca ( Its thier home ground and Chelsea are suffering from injuries lately. Robben, Duff are doubtful so I would pick Barca with a slender margin)
ManU-Milan -->Draw (ManU will find Milan defense too stubborn to break down. I would ahve picked Milan but Shevchenko is injured and wont be playing so a draw it is)
Real - Juve --> Real will win it as new coach has brought in some consistency in real madrid while Juve are slipping up off late.
Inter - Porto --> Inter
Arsenal - Bayern Munich --> Bayern Munich
Liverpool -- Bayer Leverkusen --> Draw
Werder Breman - Lyon --> Lyon
PSV - Monaco -> Draw
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
Last nights results:
Real Madrid 1 - 0 Juventas
Liverpool 3 - 1 LeverKusen
Bayern Munich 3 - 1 Arsenal
PSV 1 - 0 Monaco
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Real and Juve match was really high quality football. Real missing some good chances to finish the tie but Juve will be happy with the scoreline.
Arsenal is almost out of it unless they produce a remarkable performance at home againt Munich.
Liverpool is in control as well.
Is the EPL really being exposed? Are MU, Arsenal, Chelsea all overrated? or a bit of badluck?
What does this really say about the quality of the EPL?
i am quite disappointed in the way MU played - AC Milan clearly showed they were the superior passing team -- i don't think they deserved to win though, MU had enough chances to put the game away. Carrol has to go now, he has made the worst of blunders.... Kameni or Casillas will do.
Sometimes Sir Alex Ferguson confuses me -- why would he play a 4-5-1 for so long, although he knew that winning the midfield was key for this game -- Rooney was simply owned by Nesta the entire game, Giggs nor Ronaldo were effective on the wings, Scholes was pisspoor -- The 2nd leg will be difficult to play at San Siro and i m not sure that ManU can pull it off.
Arsenal without Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole are really crappy, wasn't surprised by the scoreline, again you ask yourself where the hell was Henry?
Chelsea are a completely different team without Robben for some weird reason, they haven't scored a goal since he got injured, lame -- i hope Liverpool can play better than the top 3 in England - Pope is on their side too!
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
^ Chelsea depends a lot on Robben as he brings flair to their attack but they are well equipped to handle Barca without him. It was a ridiculous decision by Ref that changed the complexion of the game against Barca in Nou Camp. But then again, they are in much better position than Arsenal and ManU and a 1-0 score line will see them through.
Milan just outclassed ManU in the first leg. It was surprising how they came out all attacking and aggressive. though manU wasted some chances to score themselves.
Though it is not an open secret that EPL is more of a physical league than intelligent football like spanish league so that usually happens. Anyways second leg starts tomorrow night so lets see what happens.
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
Barcelona is being slaughtered at Stamford Bridge. ** Chelsea up 3 - 0 after 20 minutes!! ** 
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
Barcla fought back tremendously and they have scored two goals. It is them who hold the advantage now. What a match so far :k:
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
First half score Chelsea 3 - 2 Barcelona
Mesmerizing football from both sides and goal from Ronaldinho was just magic. Chelsea needs to win with two goals difference otherwise Barca are through on away goal.
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
Saby, That’s not how the away goals rule works. As it stands at the moment (Chelsea 3- Barca 2) the aggregate score is 4-4 but the fact that Barca have scored more away goals than Chelsea mean they will go through. If Chelsea score just one more goal, teh aggregate score will be 5-4 to Chelsea and they will go through.
What a game, eh?
MM
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
Chelsea 4 Barcelona 2
A superb match going on.
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
TERRRRRRRYYYYYYYYY!!!!! Chesea 4 - Barca 2 (Aggregate 5-4)
15 mins to go ... No Extra Time or penalties. What a game!
MM
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
This is what I said that Barca are ahead on away goal .
woo hoo ! chalsea Scored 4-2. What a classic!!!
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
No, you said “Chelsea needs to win with two goals difference…”
Chelse does not need a 2 goal cushion, just 1 will do - which they just now got!
Great game.
MM
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
Sorry, Saby... I just now understood what you meant. I was referring to the aggregate score.
You are right, on the night they need tyo win by a 2 goal margin.
MM
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
^ Hehe Mystery Man. I dont blame you for this mistake. This match is indeed so captivating that one can lose a bit of concentration.
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
I suspect Barca will score a last minute goal to break Chelsea hearts.
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
Chelsea are through.
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
They think its all over.. some people are on the pitch... This Time IT IS OVER!
Chelsea thru.
MM
Re: Champions League - 2004/5
** Chelsea did it. English Champions have beaten Spanish champions 4-2 and they go through 5-4 on aggregate. **
A game of spectacular proportions played in equally spectacular attacking spirit. Ronaldinho magic was just wasnt enough.