Football 2011-2012

[The Nal]

Champ League looks interesting so far. For a change.

Some great games here.

Bayern/Villareal

Utd/Benfica

Real/Lyon

Chelski/Valencia

Arsenal/Marseille

Barca/Milan

[Ed209]

citeh dodged a bullet with that one.

Group H was the only other possibility when they came up

Edited August 25, 2011 by Ed209

[Ed209]

ah, i stand corrected, apparently Citeh could never have gone in Group H because they have to play on seperate nights to united

[Ed209]

that draw is effectively a bye to the last 16 for Man Utd.

Don't think any of the english teams will be too upset with that. With citeh in pot 3 they couldn't have hoped for much better. Arsenal have probably got the toughest of any though.

Edited August 25, 2011 by Ed209

[kaosmark2]

Champ League looks interesting so far. For a change.

Some great games here.

Bayern/Villareal

Utd/Benfica

Real/Lyon

Chelski/Valencia

Arsenal/Marseille

Barca/Milan

[Wooderson]

Has there been a more uninspiring draw? National leagues might suffer but the current CL has become a shocking mess. Ollan to say that Unireh Benfica is worth looking forward to is at best naive and at worst kidding yourself. Teams nearly bankrupt themselves to get into this tournament. It is beginning to resemble the Europa League with the standard of some of the clubs. All four English teams will make the quarters, two or even three might make the semis and Barca will win it. Dogshit.

[ampersand]

Has there been a more uninspiring draw? National leagues might suffer but the current CL has become a shocking mess. Ollan to say that Unireh Benfica is worth looking forward to is at best naive and at worst kidding yourself. Teams nearly bankrupt themselves to get into this tournament. It is beginning to resemble the Europa League with the standard of some of the clubs. All four English teams will make the quarters, two or even three might make the semis and Barca will win it. Dogshit.

[Wooderson]

i'm getting awfy bored of the champions league. needs a major shake up.

[pink_triangle]

The group stage is dull every year, its just a way for the big teams to ensure they get a decent payday. I much prefer this format to the previous one with 2 group stages. In my opinion the best format would be an extra knockout round before the group stage to leave 4 groups of 4, however theres no way the big sides would go for that.

[jammy2211]

Group G looks an absolute disgrace. I doubt a single team there has any real chance of getting through the first knock-out stages, unless Porto draw ManU's runner's up.

[pink_triangle]

It does feel odd that sides like Otejul and Plzen can be in the champs league though, and Liverpool / Spurs / Roma etc not... would perhaps be better for the comp if UEFA re-thought their coefficients process.

[kaosmark2]

There needs to be an incentive for smaller european teams to develop. I think in the current format 4 english teams is enough. If you want to start inviting the likes of liverpool and roma then you may as well just set up a european super league.

[kaosmark2]

Also, changing topic. Anyone watch the Sc**thorpe game? AMAZING show from Ameobi Jr, and not just his goal. Marveaux was easily our best player first half, but Sammy OWNED that left wing once he came on. Best attacking performance I've seen from a Newcastle player since Ben Arfa against Everton, and even then it's pretty close.

Ha at Sc**thorpe being auto-edited....

Edited August 25, 2011 by kaosmark2

[metallimuse]

I disagree.The smaller nations getting teams in there and getting the money it brings is a blessing for them to use for investing in facilities and developing for the future which will raise the standards in years to come.Maybe not on a club level as the bigger teams will also get bigger but I would think it will have an impact on an international level.

[The Nal]

Yep. Agreed. This draw had no tension whatsoever. None of these games are interesting.

Edited August 26, 2011 by The Nal

[Wooderson]

Thats madness.

Barcelona vs AC Milan isn't interesting?

Bayern/City/Villareal/Napoli? City away in Munich? Or Napoli?

Madrid/Lyon/Ajax?

Arsenal vs Dortmund?

Valencia vs Leverkusen?

Compared to last year theres a few great games in there.

The group stages are always shite by the way. This is as good as it gets.

[Wooderson]

I think there should be another knock out round. Winners of each league qualify for the tournament proper - and everyone else must play a qualifier.

[The Nal]

Milan are no great shakes any more squire. Thats why I didnt include it. Its a walkover for Barca.

Edited August 26, 2011 by The Nal

[pink_triangle]

Milan are no great shakes any more squire. Thats why I didnt include it. Its a walkover for Barca.

As regards the others. Meh. Bar Citey's visit to Napoli, none of them appeal to me. The interest in that fixture has nowt to do with the goings on on the pitch. Napoli are muck.

Valencia Leverkusen, Ollan? Shit off!

[Wooderson]

Pato, Ibra, Robinho, Thiago Silva, Van Bommell, Alves, Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabragas, Mascherano all the same pitch?

"No interest"?

Bayern vs Citeh? Neuer, Ribéry, Robben, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Gomez, Silva, Nasri, Aguero, (maybe Tevez) all on the same pitch?

"Meh"? C'mon!!

Looking forward to it yeah, dont get to see them often. Even enough match up.

Havent even mentioned Madrid vs Lyon (Madrid always struggle there).

Madrid vs Ajax? Ajax with their football school in the shop window etc

Bayern Munich vs Villarreal?

Villarreal vs Citeh?

Loads there to watch.

By the way, totally random attack on the FA this morning by Fergie.

When asked about number of Utd players in England squad: "The FA may realise who's produced more players for their country than any other club and maybe get some joy from it at some point in their lives and realise how important we are for England, understand? They treat us like shit. They (the players) deserve to be there, they're outstanding so we're all pleased."

Edited August 26, 2011 by Wooderson

[The Nal]

In my opinion Milan and Barcelona are still giants of the world game and anytime they play its a big occasion.

Edited August 26, 2011 by The Nal

[worm]

3 games in and I've already had enough of the mags.

[Wooderson]

Thats not the best we can look forward to. Was the last match I mentioned. But its certainly better than Utd vs that unknown team or Liverpool vs some team in the arse of of Cyprus we've never heard of watching Carroll mis control the ball like a Sunday league player.

[The Nal]

You mentioned less than ten games (off the top of your head, granted) from a total 16 games per week X 6 weeks.

Chief, the competition is a bloated mess. Its a non-contest.

[Wooderson]

Ten games + return fixtures. So 20 minimum.

Dont get me wrong, most of it is dogshit, it always is, but I wouldn't write off the entire thing as shit. Some great games in there on a rainy Wednesday.