UEFA Champions League 2013/2014

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 6:39 am

I love the early rounds of the Champions League when the big fish in little ponds play. These teams are ranked 430+ in the UEFA rankings.

Leg 1 first round qualification
Shirak (Armenia) 3-0 Tre Prenne (San Marino)
Lusitans (Andorra) 2-2 EB/Streymur (Faroe Islands)

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Sat Jul 06, 2013 10:03 am

wlu_lax6 wrote:I love the early rounds of the Champions League when the big fish in little ponds play. These teams are ranked 430+ in the UEFA rankings.

Leg 1 first round qualification
Shirak (Armenia) 3-0 Tre Prenne (San Marino)
Lusitans (Andorra) 2-2 EB/Streymur (Faroe Islands)

Do they even bother playing the Champions League Theme before kickoff in Andorra?

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:15 am

More early round games yesterday and 5 more today
FT Shakhter Karagandy 3-0 Skenderbeu Qualifying Third Round Shaktyor Stadium
FT Austria Vienna 1-0 FH Hafnarfjordur Qualifying Third Round Franz Horr Stadium (8,400)
FT Dinamo Tbilisi 0-2 Steaua Bucuresti Qualifying Third Round Boris Paichadze Stadium (25,000)
FT Nomme Kalju 0-4 Viktoria Plzen Qualifying Third Round Kadrioru Stadium (4,400)
FT FC Basel 1-0 Maccabi Tel-Aviv Qualifying Third Round St Jakob Park (12,353)
FT FC Nordsjaelland 0-1 Zenit St Petersburg Qualifying Third Round Farum Park (5,417)
FT PAOK Salonika 0-2 FC Metalist Kharkiv Qualifying Third Round Toumbas Stadium
FT Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Sheriff Tiraspol Qualifying Third Round Maksimir Stadium
FT PSV Eindhoven 2-0 Zulte-Waregem Qualifying Third Round Philips Stadion
FT Lyon 1-0 Grasshoppers Qualifying Third Round Municipal De Gerland (27,331)

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:51 am

Some interesting teams in the next round (playoffs to get into the 32-team tournament) on the non-champions side including Arsenal and Milan.

They could play PSV, Lyon or Zenit which would be interesting.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:43 am

Draw was held for qualification to the groups. Fenerbache and Metalist have some UEFA discipline/Court of Arbirtation Sports stuff that may impact their participation in this round or if they win getting in the group.

PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) vs. AC Milan (Italy)

Lyon (France) vs. Real Sociedad (Spain)

Pacos de Ferreira (Portugal) vs. Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia)

Shakhter Karagandy (Kazakhstan) vs. Celtic (Scotland)

Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic) vs. Maribor (Slovenia)

Wednesday, August 21

x-Fenerbahce (Turkey) vs. Arsenal (England)

Schalke (Germany) vs. x-Metalist Kharkiv (Ukraine)

Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) vs. Austria Vienna (Austria)

Ludogorets Razgrad (Bulgaria) vs. Basel (Switzerland)

Steaua Bucharest (Romania) vs. Legia Warsaw (Poland)

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 6:40 pm

wlu_lax6 wrote:Draw was held for qualification to the groups. Fenerbache and Metalist have some UEFA discipline/Court of Arbirtation Sports stuff that may impact their participation in this round or if they win getting in the group.

x-Fenerbahce (Turkey) vs. Arsenal (England)

if arsenal loses in this round, would it be too much to say "as arsenal goes, so goes wenger"? (maybe not the next day, but if there's no trophy in any competition this year, a loss here could play a significant role in justifying his firing, no?)

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:14 am

PETA not happy with Shakhter Karagandy
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/foot ... ad-2190352" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 11:41 am

THE GROUPS
Group A: MANCHESTER UNITED, Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Sociedad
Group B: Real Madrid, Juventus, Galatasaray, Copenhagen
Group C: Benfica, Paris St Germain, Olympiakos, Anderlecht
Group D: Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow, MANCHESTER CITY, Viktoria Plzen
Group E: CHELSEA, Schalke, Basel, Steaua Bucharest
Group F: ARSENAL, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli
Group G: Porto, Atletico Madrid, Zenit St Petersburg, Austria Vienna
Group H: Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax, CELTIC

Post by **Sabo** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 11:57 am

Tough draw for Arsenal. Otherwise, the other groups look relatively straightforward. Group G could have some entertaining games.

My prediction:

A: Man U, Bayer Leverkusen
B: Real Madrd, Juventus
C: Benfica, PSG
D: Bayern Munich, Man City
E: Chelsea, Schalke
F: Marseille, Borussia Dortmund
G: Atletico Madrid, Porto
H: Barcelona, AC Milan

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 12:14 pm

Sabo wrote:Tough draw for Arsenal. Otherwise, the other groups look relatively straightforward. Group G could have some entertaining games.

My prediction:

A: Man U, Bayer Leverkusen
B: Real Madrd, Juventus
C: Benfica, PSG
D: Bayern Munich, Man City
E: Chelsea, Schalke
F: Marseille, Borussia Dortmund
G: Atletico Madrid, Porto
H: Barcelona, AC Milan

Arsenal gets through.

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 12:48 pm

Take a look at group c. Looks like the qataris got to uefa, too.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 1:58 pm

Barcelona Celtic paired up again? Here's hoping for more tears from Rod Stewart.

BTTG · Post by **BTTG** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:59 am

Sabo wrote:Tough draw for Arsenal. Otherwise, the other groups look relatively straightforward. Group G could have some entertaining games.

My prediction:

A: Man U, Bayer Leverkusen
B: Real Madrd, Juventus
C: Benfica, PSG
D: Bayern Munich, Man City
E: Chelsea, Schalke
F: Marseille, Borussia Dortmund
G: Atletico Madrid, Porto
H: Barcelona, AC Milan

Hard to disagree with this, though I think Napoli will be the team that goes through if Arsenal don't actually buy any quality players in the next few days. They are stacked and Marseille always flatter to deceive until they play decent opposition. Galatasaray might make some noise as well, though perhaps not enough to knock Madrid or Juve out. As ever, Chelsea get the easiest route possible to the Round of 16.

Really glad we got the Group of Death, the group stage matches have generally been crap the last few years and good teams make them worth the price of admission. If our self-inflicted implosion is to be sustained, I would like to witness an Higuain hat trick at the Emirates to confirm it.

Post by **Sabo** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:28 am

BTTG wrote:
Sabo wrote:Tough draw for Arsenal. Otherwise, the other groups look relatively straightforward. Group G could have some entertaining games.

My prediction:

A: Man U, Bayer Leverkusen
B: Real Madrd, Juventus
C: Benfica, PSG
D: Bayern Munich, Man City
E: Chelsea, Schalke
F: Marseille, Borussia Dortmund
G: Atletico Madrid, Porto
H: Barcelona, AC Milan
Hard to disagree with this, though I think Napoli will be the team that goes through if Arsenal don't actually buy any quality players in the next few days. They are stacked and Marseille always flatter to deceive until they play decent opposition. Galatasaray might make some noise as well, though perhaps not enough to knock Madrid or Juve out. As ever, Chelsea get the easiest route possible to the Round of 16.

Really glad we got the Group of Death, the group stage matches have generally been crap the last few years and good teams make them worth the price of admission. If our self-inflicted implosion is to be sustained, I would like to witness an Higuain hat trick at the Emirates to confirm it.

Good point about Marseille. French teams tend to look great domestically and then fail to impress in continental play. To be honest, I can see all four of those teams progressing, but I think Arsenal is the one least likely to make it out. I'm not saying this because of my personal feelings against Arsenal; I just don't see the quality in them that's needed to get out of the group phase. They're going to need more than Mathieu Flamini to do something special.

That French Guy · Post by **That French Guy** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 5:39 am

Sabo wrote:I think Arsenal is the one least likely to make it out.

I think you're either underestimating Arsenal or really overestimating Marseille. Down here, almost everyone has already written OM out. Arsenal may not have great players but almost all of them are better thant their Ligue1 counterparts, some of them having barely played in CL/UEFA.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:09 pm

I am avoiding checking the score or news until after I watch the game tonight, but sources indicate that Arsenal are starting Yaya Sanogo up front against Bayern. Very surprising as the 21 yo debuted on Sunday. He looked decent at holdup play and is certainly much faster than Giroud, but he whiffed on 2 of the 3 shots he attempted, the third shot being blocked. And by whiffed, I mean he full out swung around to shoot and completely missed the ball. Giroud must be awfully run down, which begs the question; when is Ozil going to get a rest? They have much better coverage at CAM, and Ozil has looked exhausted for well over a month.

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:53 pm

The Sybian wrote:I am avoiding checking the score or news until after I watch the game tonight, but sources indicate that Arsenal are starting Yaya Sanogo up front against Bayern. Very surprising as the 21 yo debuted on Sunday. He looked decent at holdup play and is certainly much faster than Giroud, but he whiffed on 2 of the 3 shots he attempted, the third shot being blocked. And by whiffed, I mean he full out swung around to shoot and completely missed the ball. Giroud must be awfully run down, which begs the question; when is Ozil going to get a rest? They have much better coverage at CAM, and Ozil has looked exhausted for well over a month.

ozil needed the rest.

also, full kit wanker sighting on the pitch!

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 11:05 pm

cerrano wrote:
The Sybian wrote:I am avoiding checking the score or news until after I watch the game tonight, but sources indicate that Arsenal are starting Yaya Sanogo up front against Bayern. Very surprising as the 21 yo debuted on Sunday. He looked decent at holdup play and is certainly much faster than Giroud, but he whiffed on 2 of the 3 shots he attempted, the third shot being blocked. And by whiffed, I mean he full out swung around to shoot and completely missed the ball. Giroud must be awfully run down, which begs the question; when is Ozil going to get a rest? They have much better coverage at CAM, and Ozil has looked exhausted for well over a month.
ozil needed the rest.

also, full kit wanker sighting on the pitch!

You mean the single wanker Szczeny pulled as he walked into the tunnel? Hope that doesn't get him a suspension. Why does Arsenal always get a red card that ruins their chances of beating the best club in the world? 2006 CL finals against Barca, with Lehmann going off, whatever year it was with RvP getting the bullshit second yellow for taking a shot after being whistled for offsides when he clearly didn't hear the whistle, now this. I can't argue with the call. I don't think Szczeny meant to bring down Robben, but it was a penalty for sure. The only argument that could be made is that Robben doesn't get to the ball regardless, so make it a penalty and maybe a yellow. Prior to the sending off, that was a phenomenal game. Extremely fast paced, end to end action with scoring opportunities and incredibly quick counters at both ends. Then, one way game with no chance of Arsenal even attempting to build an attack. Brilliant goal by Kroos. That shot started out well wide of the post and amazingly curled into the corner. Truly sublime. a 1-0 loss would have been a victory under the circumstances, but the late goal by Mueller killed it. Going to be incredibly tough to beat Bayern by 2. Especially since they haven't lost a game since Arsenal beat them a year ago. Talk about an incredible run.

Rams Fanny · Post by **Rams Fanny** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:36 am

The Sybian wrote:...Giroud must be awfully run down...

But it isn't necessarily from soccer

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:23 am

Rams Fanny wrote:
The Sybian wrote:...Giroud must be awfully run down...
But it isn't necessarily from soccer

Yeah, this story is getting stranger every day. After he seemingly admits adultery, the girl comes out saying they didn't have sex, so she doesn't know what Giroud is apologizing for. Now he denies it again. The funny thing is, the model looks like a trashy version of his wife with a horrible boob job.

Post by **Sabo** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 3:59 pm

Moyes out.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 4:09 pm

Man, they look like shit tonight.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 4:52 pm

Bring on the MLS

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 8:10 am

God that was awful to watch. Midfield is just so boring.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:36 pm

Man U back to 2-2 on agg thanks to a RVP

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:40 pm

Just playing for Moyes's job, no biggie. I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

On one hand, the team isn't like it has been in year's past. On the other, the tactics have been uninspired...Moyes playing like a plucky underdog when he shouldn't.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:50 pm

So happy to see him on the pitch.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:53 pm

Fist pumping over here.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:56 pm

Can't let one in though!

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 7:37 am

Man U v. Munich
Madrid v. Dortmund
PSG v. Chelsea
The less popular Madrid v. Barcelona

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 3:01 pm

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 3:06 pm

I just realized that this season could legitimately end with Everton taking 4th and Moyes taking the last CL spot away by winning it.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 2:39 pm

Bayern has about 15 shots to 1 for united. Not promising.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 2:41 pm

AB_skin_test wrote:Bayern has about 15 shots to 1 for united. Not promising.

Not surprising. The question is when do they begin to unpark the bus? My guess is minute 80.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 2:50 pm

govmentchedda wrote:
AB_skin_test wrote:Bayern has about 15 shots to 1 for united. Not promising.
Not surprising. The question is when do they begin to unpark the bus? My guess is minute 80.

Man U can't park it that late, with the 1-1 result in leg 1 Man U goes out on away goals with a 0-0 draw.

How about Athletico up 1-0 (2-1 Agg)

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 3:00 pm

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Post by **Sabo** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 3:00 pm

Based on how my Twitter feed just exploded, I guess Patrick Evra just scored a thunderbastard.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 3:01 pm

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 8:42 pm

Thankfully, I was unable to watch the second half. Just saw a note that Atletico has not lost in the CL this year.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 11:03 am

Atletico looked amazing in that game, solid at every position. Disciplined, hungrier and what a crowd!

Got to cheer for them against whomever they face.