UEFA Champions League Thread [Archive]

[Hatcha]

Ramsey last night, what on earth... I've never rated him, always thought he was massively overrated for club and country, but last night was just ridiculous. And no Chamberlain from the start? My god Wenger sort your self out.

 

[Liquid]

Maybe Wenger is boxing clever and sacrificing Champions League this year to concentrate on their woeful league campaign.

Then again, Milan simply battered them.

 

[TyrrellRacing]

Not looking good for the English teams left in the champions league now. A 2-0 win will get Chelsea through but with their recent form I really don't see them keeping a clean sheet.

I wonder why the English teams have fared so badly this year. I thought their squads were better than last year, well not Arsenal but certainly the other three. Carelessness was probably to blame for Man United's early exit and I think Arsenal just aren't good enough. Inexperience maybe cost City and bad form leaves Chelsea's hopes hanging on a knife edge. Maybe the two Manchester clubs deliberately went out to focus on the Prem ?

 

[Sach]

Chelsea look so negative, and AVB just doesn't seem to be able to motivate his players. Shocking back line from Chelsea today.

 

[Liquid]

Goodbye Mr. Villas-Boas, nice knowing you...

What happened to him being this radical new coach who was going to revolutionise the club? I knew he'd be far too inexperienced to do it.

 

[Emptyone]

AVB does indeed seem to be hanging by a thread, can't see it lasting much longer if they don't advance into the next round. Somewhat of a failure this year by Premier League clubs, could be no teams in the quarter finals at all from England, and possible winning the Europa League. But still a shambles compared to 3 or 4 years ago when we made 3/4 of the semifinal places of the champions league ... Those were the days.

 

[Danze1984]

I think the league becoming more competitive is something to do with. A few years ago it was well know who would finish in the top 4 and qualify for the CL again. Now there's 7 teams all with a realistic chance of getting it. It adds pressure on players and teams in every match as well as not having a proper option of resting your best players due to fear of getting turned over by lesser teams.

I'm not dissapointed by a lack of Prem teams in the CL though, the games are usually more exciting that way.

 

[TyrrellRacing]

I agree with your post in the Premier League thread Danze. Can't believe most of you think AVB should go. He's been there half a year, they're just outside the top 4 and still in the Champions League and the FA Cup. Chelsea's squad is a mess at the moment, full of leftovers from axed managers' short lived plans.

Give him until the end of 2013 and if they're not in the top 4, then sack him.

 

[Liquid]

But if for pure argument's sake, Chelsea hired say, Coventry's Andy Thorn instead of AVB last summer; would you still be saying that he should be given more time, given the same results? No. He'd have been sacked.

Villas-Boas came in under this wave of 'revolution' and a 'new era' at Chelsea and all that malarkey. It just hasn't happened. The board definitely share some of the blame but for me, Villas-Boas simply isn't experienced enough and jumped too soon at too big a job.

 

[TyrrellRacing]

But if for pure argument's sake, Chelsea hired say, Coventry's Andy Thorn instead of AVB last summer; would you still be saying that he should be given more time, given the same results? No. He'd have been sacked.

Actually I doubt he would've been sacked with these results. If you hired Andy Thorn, you're not going to expect Chelsea to be in a better position than what they're in now.

I'l admit that at the moment AVB is too inexperienced, but he's only going to gain experience by not being sacked.
Abramovich has hired experienced, proven managers in Scolari and Ancelotti and none of them delivered to his standard. I think he expected instant glory as they were good managers. With AVB I believe he doesn't expect instant success and just wants a good, young manager that can lead Chelsea for a good few years. Also his similarities with Mourinho probably played a massive role in his appointment.

If he sacks AVB, then what's he going to do ? Capello ? Probably get the same result as Scolari and Ancelotti. A young manager is the way to go for Chelsea. Rebuild the team to emulate the Mourinho years, or so Abramovich hopes.

Villas-Boas came in under this wave of 'revolution' and a 'new era' at Chelsea and all that malarkey. It just hasn't happened. The board definitely share some of the blame but for me, Villas-Boas simply isn't experienced enough and jumped too soon at too big a job.

"New revolution" is a term that's used whenever a new manager comes in at Chelsea, which has become all too common in the last few years. You can't blame him for accepting a potential Champions League winning team in one of the most highly sought after leagues in the world.

 

[Emptyone]

Inter lose to Marseille and Basle beat Bayern Munich tonight. Having watched the Inter-Marseille game, for 90 minutes it was absolutely shocking. Struggle to find highlights. However, Marseille put the pressure on in the last ten minutes, and deservedly won in the end. Inter have now lost six out of the last seven in all competitions, not looking good for Ranieri. Ever since Morinho left, they've gone through 4 managers in 1 and a half seasons. Bit of a shambles. Sure Munich will turn it around at home. All still to play for in both.

 

[Sach]

Inter and Marseille played good defense. It wasn't shocking, just not an offensive highlight fest. Inter are terrible and they deserve to be out. Alle sur Marseille!

 

[Emptyone]

Inter and Marseille played good defense. It wasn't shocking, just not an offensive highlight fest. Inter are terrible and they deserve to be out. Alle sur Marseille!

Yeah I guess, it was pretty lacklustre though. Apart from Forlan in the first half and Stankovic in the second, there wasn't much for Inter at all.

 

[Touring Mars]

Good start for Arsenal tonight - 2-0 up after 25 mins... only another 2 to bring the game to extra-time...

edit: 3-0 now... looking good for a possible upset here - would be an incredible result if Arsenal could win this tie.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Its an interesting game for sure. Arsenal are playing well like you say but Milan are playing pretty poorly.

 

[cuco33]

I'm listening to the Benfica x Zenit match on tunein droid app, came here real quick and saw Touring Mars mention Arsenal is up 3-0 at HT...

WHAT?!!?!!!! Watch Milan get knocked out by Arsenal!! Who'd ever thought that Arsenal would be even in this place, 1 goal down, after getting raped 4-0 in Milan?!??? wow some of my buds will be happy if the gunners pull through!

 

[Ross]

Wow, this is something I never thought I'd see, Arsenal making a fantastic comeback and actually having a chance of going through.

 

[MagpieRacer]

RVP should have made it 4-0 Arsenal there, good save but RVP just needed to hit the ball not try to be clever.

 

[Ross]

They were so unlucky not to draw then.

 

[Touring Mars]

Wenger and Arsenal may be out of the CL, but atleast they leave the competition with their pride and respect restored...

 

[AlexGTV]

RVP should have made it 4-0 Arsenal there, good save but RVP just needed to hit the ball not try to be clever.

Same with the amazing tet a tet of the Italians. What's up with that?
In both cases a killer instict was missing. Was it for Henry and Inzaghi respectively the match would be 4-1.

 

[Touring Mars]

It is just as well that it was RVP who missed the chance - if it had been anyone else, they'd probably have been crucified in the English press today and labelled a flop.

edit: Lionel Messi masterclass tonight against Bayer Leverkusen - a hattrick in 50 minutes, all of them pretty sweet.

edit 2: Messi has broken the record for the most goals in a Champions League match - five for Messi tonight, 7 for Barca - 10-1 on aggregate now...

 

[Emptyone]

Barcelona ripped Leverkeusen to shreds tonight, Messi was awesome, even after Xavi and Iniesta were taken off. 7-1 on the night, 10-2 on aggregate. Worrying signs for the rest of teams left in the competition

 

[cuco33]

I seriously hope I set my DVR to record the Barca match!!

I checked just a few minutes ago the score line and dropped my jaw... wow. I really thought that Barca would face some competition against Bayer Lev but... been wrong before!

 

[Dennisch]

Adieu Lyon!!!!

Apoel Nicosia!!!!

Incredible!!!

 

[Emptyone]

Adieu Lyon!!!!

Apoel Nicosia!!!!

Incredible!!!

Indeed, they've come from the first qualifying round I believe, and now they've beaten Lyon! On penalties. Wonder how much longer they can keep it up though, I think this is as far as they can get.

 

[Dennisch]

Indeed, they've come from the first qualifying round I believe, and now they've beaten Lyon! On penalties. Wonder how much longer they can keep it up though, I think this is as far as they can get.

Yeah, they did. But the next round will be too much. Unless we get a new miracle. I do hope so.

 

[Emptyone]

Yeah, they did. But the next round will be too much. Unless we get a new miracle. I do hope so.

Same, it's nice to have underdogs doing well in the Champions League, though depends if the next round is out of the hat or ordered, could still get a good draw or Barcelona

 

[Sach]

Just got home... Messi scored 5?

 

[Danze1984]

How far is he off from a goal scoring record? Anyone know who holds the record for goals in a season in only competitive matches? As if you could call last night competitive but you know what I mean.

I've got Ferenc Deak of Hungary with 66 in '49 and Pele on the same in '58. Messi in 18 behind, not unthinkable for him to equal that when he has 14 league games, the Spanish Cup Final, and at least 2 more Champions League games to come.