champion's league discussion '09

[cutout]

Anyone have favorites or predictions? Liverpool is looking mighty.

[Martin]

Liverpool are my team, and I watched last week's match between Liverpool and Real Madrid in the middle of the day in a sportsbar in Manhattan (actually just before heading out to Jersey City and the marathon). Surreal experience. Thankfully the crowd was mostly pro-Pool. Didn't catch the rest of the matches last week though.

It will be interesting to see the draw on Friday, but until then I'm not making any predictions.

[samir]

Watching the match last week at a hardline Red pub in Finsbury Park was an experience that my girlfriend hated.

We moved to a quieter pub for the shootout, which was intense in its own way. Myself and the Toms watched in the traditional way.



Especially after our performance against Hull last night, I'm not too optimistic. But we have a decent record against our fellow Big Four clubs, and there's a good chance we'll be drawn against one of them. We already have Chelski in the FA Cup coming up. Liverpool would be one to avoid since they're on white-hot form at the moment. Villareal would not be too shabby. Bayern seem to be pulling a Liverpool - middling league form this season, but turning it on in the CL.

[snoopywaves]

Manchester United. Best team in the world at the moment. Before anyone says something about some sort of 4-1 defeat, I'd like them to remember which team is still clear at the top of the Premiership with a game in hand.

United had the hardest team to beat in the last round, they have the best squad and the most consistent non-starting players. They're gonna win and do it the gentleman's way too - not forsaking domestic competition for a moment in the sun.

[Martin]

1-4
1-4
1-4

[JustSheaNo]

Am going to pull for Liverpool this year, and eagerly await an opportunity to stand arm in arm with some Englishmen and belt out the Dambuster's march.

[Clint]

Manchester United. Best team in the world at the moment. Before anyone says something about some sort of 4-1 defeat, I'd like them to remember which team is still clear at the top of the Premiership with a game in hand.

United had the hardest team to beat in the last round, they have the best squad and the most consistent non-starting players. They're gonna win and do it the gentleman's way too - not forsaking domestic competition for a moment in the sun.

Seconded. I can see them bouncing back after the Liverpool game. Before that they were cruising, with some of their more reliable players playing like they didn't give a shit, especially in the 2 Inter games. They'll soon be back on track to win the quadruple or even the quintuple (or the sextuple if you count the Community Shield, which no one will).

Liverpool have a great chance too. I'd never rule them out of winning the Champion's League with the luck they've had in the past.

Also, Barcelona.

[Martin]

Quarter finals (7-8 April)

Villarreal v Arsenal

Manchester United v Porto

Liverpool v Chelsea

Barcelona v Bayern Munich

 

[snoopywaves]

Delightful.

[Martin]

Sickening. UEFA are really hoping for a "dream finale" between Man U and Barca, aren't they.

[snoopywaves]

Nooooooo ten minutes to go and a goal down to Fulham.

Sextuple could be off the cards here.

[Clint]

Predictions:

Villarreal v Arsenal - Draw at Villareal. Arsenal squeak a win at home and go through.

Manchester United v Porto - United win home and away but play badly. Scholes gets sent off at some point.

Liverpool v Chelsea - Boring. Mild controversy will ensue an officials decision.

Barcelona v Bayern Munich - Goalfest. Munich win at home but Barca win by more in the Nou Camp and go through. Messi scores a spectacular goal at home.

Also, if United do win the sextuple do they unlock secret additional tournaments?

[JP]

Predictions:

Also, if United do win the sextuple do they unlock secret additional tournaments?

brilliant! 

If I'm honest, I'm nervous about what Rafa's Men will accomplish - but at least they're still *in it* so I'm still having fun.

[samir]

bump bump bump.

[samir]

1-1 for us is a lot better than 2-2 for United.
Not too keen on Billy Gallas and Almunia getting hurt, though.