Champions League Thread [2010-2011]

[vancerfan]

Benitez still totally control INTER MILAN,this season INTER MILAN wants to win CL is impossible,no malicious..

 

[Az.]

Benitez still totally control INTER MILAN,this season INTER MILAN wants to win CL is impossible,no malicious..

Mr Miaghi?

 

[dev1L]

 

[dev1L]

Nicolas Anelka targets FFF with 'handcuff' celebration

Nicolas Anelka says his 'handcuff' celebration after scoring two first-half goals to put Chelsea on the way to a comfortable 4-1 victory over MSK Zilina was directed at the French Football Federation.

Anelka set up Michael Essien's 13th-minute opener before scoring twice himself as Chelsea cruised to victory in Slovakia. Daniel Sturridge added the fourth before Tomas Oravec replied for the home side.

"It was just something for the French Federation about what happened at the World Cup," said Anelka of his celebration. "What happened in summer is in the past, now I'm 100% focused for Chelsea."

When asked if he would ever consider playing for France again, he replied: "No, never. It was just a joke about what happened. I'm not angry."

Anelka's movement in attack in the absence of the suspended Didier Drogba was pivotal, according to the satisfied Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

"The key was Anelka, he played a fantastic game," said the Italian. "He created space, he had opportunities, he was the key for this game. He can play the position in front, sometimes we use him more wide, sometimes he plays in the middle but he shows the same skills if he plays wide."

And Ancelotti was happy with the defensive performance. "Every game in the Champions League is hard to play," he said. "We started very well in the first half, we played fantastic football, the second half was different.

"Zilina put more pressure on our defence. The back four did a good match. When you are 3-0 up it's normal to have more difficulty. I think that Petr [Cech] could do better with the goal we conceded but we faced a lot of crosses. We had to put more pressure on the wide side. Defensively the back four had a good game."

The Zilina coach, Pavel Hapel, was surprised by the scoreline and said the only difference between the two sides was Chelsea's clinical finishing.

"I am not disappointed with the game," said Hapel. "We played well and attacked Chelsea. We managed to score so it was OK. We kept up with Chelsea as much as we could but I am disappointed with the productivity. The score was a surprise. We didn't show the same productivity in front of goal as Chelsea did."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/sep/16/nicolas-anelka-fff-chelsea-handcuff-celebration


Bayern Munich Coach Louis Van Gaal Bemoans Italian Style Of Football

Bayern Munich may have defeated Roma 2-0, but coach Louis van Gaal questions the style of football played by the Giallorossi.

Bayern Munich coach Louis Van Gaal has slammed the way Roma approached their Champions League encounter tonight at the Allianz Arena.

Van Gaal was not pleased the Giallorossi played a defensive brand of football, keeping many players behind the ball, but was satisfied his side still managed to win 2-0.

"In light of the circumstances, I thought we played very well," Van Gaal told L'Equipe after the match. "We knew the Italians would come to defend, but after 70 minutes, Roma were flat.

"Our fans must understand that it took time to break them down because we had to move the ball well. We scored two good goals, and could have scored two more.

"Roma did not create a single goalscoring opportunity, as they came to play with 10 players behind the ball. It may not have been spectacular, but they were exhausted. At half-time, I told my players to continue what they were doing and we were going to create scoring opportunities."

Van Gaal said the style of football reminded him of Inter in their Champions League final against the Bavarians.

"Roma played like Inter in the Champions League final, and I do not like it. You may love to watch this style of football - 10 men behind the ball - but I do not," he concluded.

 

[MilanMarkus]

I think this season Barcelona or Chelsea will win the Champions League (for a few years now they are the most competitive teams).

I think Arsenal is the dark horse for this season. They were very, very impressive against Braga. It's amazing that so many players left Arsenal since the 2005-2006 season (Lehmann, A. Cole, Senderos, Toure, Gallas, Flamini, Hleb, Gilberto Silva, Pires, Reyes, Vieira, Ljungberg, Adebayor, Henry) But I think their team is still as good as back then.

I watched Real Madrid - Ajax and I believe the Mourinho effect is already visible. Real Madrid looked much more dangerous than under Pellegrini. C. Ronaldo, Higuain, Ozil and Di Maria changed positions a lot, combined very well and provided good width. Also Xabi Alonso and Khedira ensure a good supply of balls. I think Real Madrid will do much better this season.

 

[acmilan4ever]

I think this season Barcelona or Chelsea will win the Champions League (for a few years now they are the most competitive teams).

I think Arsenal is the dark horse for this season. They were very, very impressive against Braga. It's amazing that so many players left Arsenal since the 2005-2006 season (Lehmann, A. Cole, Senderos, Toure, Gallas, Flamini, Hleb, Gilberto Silva, Pires, Reyes, Vieira, Ljungberg, Adebayor, Henry) But I think their team is still as good as back then.

I watched Real Madrid - Ajax and I believe the Mourinho effect is already visible. Real Madrid looked much more dangerous than under Pellegrini. C. Ronaldo, Higuain, Ozil and Di Maria changed positions a lot, combined very well and provided good width. Also Xabi Alonso and Khedira ensure a good supply of balls. I think Real Madrid will do much better this season.

Perfect post

Real Madrid will go far if they avoid teams like Barca, Chelsea or ManU in the quarterfinals coz they are still defensively a bit weak, like Marcelo could have been caught out of position y'day on the counter but it never happened or like their CBs would struggle against a world class CF. We will have to wait and see how they fare against Milan.

 

[ZBoban]

I think Bayern Munich is a dark horse. Everybody always mentions Barca, Chelsea...but I was looking at Bayern's roster of players and they will definately be very competitive. I always tend to forget they made it to the finals last year. Ribery, Robben, Olic, Lahm, Klose, Muller, Schweinsteiger..that pretty impressive. They surely could beat anybody in this competition.

 

[neutral]

We will have to wait and see how they fare against Milan.

Milan - Real is gonna be an awesome match

I think Bayern Munich is a dark horse. Everybody always mentions Barca, Chelsea...but I was looking at Bayern's roster of players and they will definately be very competitive. I always tend to forget they made it to the finals last year. Ribery, Robben, Olic, Lahm, Klose, Muller, Schweinsteiger..that pretty impressive. They surely could beat anybody in this competition.

Bayern's defence is weak though.

 

[acmilan4ever]

I think Bayern Munich is a dark horse. Everybody always mentions Barca, Chelsea...but I was looking at Bayern's roster of players and they will definately be very competitive. I always tend to forget they made it to the finals last year. Ribery, Robben, Olic, Lahm, Klose, Muller, Schweinsteiger..that pretty impressive. They surely could beat anybody in this competition.

Agreed, but Bayern Munich lack defensively. IF they can get a good CB in the Jan market (Miranda) and play Badstuber at LB then yes they could have a very good chance of making it to the Semis at least.

Edit: Robben was the main man last season for them and he wont be kicking a ball anymore this year (2010) so a lot depends on his return. If he can recover by jan/feb then its perfect coz he will be available for all the knockout rounds after.

 

[Sonny.Bill.Williams]

My dark horses : valencia . . . Emery has had 2(3?) years with them . . . Banega looks good . . . sorry,but i dnt know how
perenial semi/quarter finalists can be dark horses . .i mean Bayern were last years finalists

 

[crazy4milan]

Arsenal is ALWAYS impressive in group stages were they face teams (btw, when was the last time Arsenal really got a decent-hard group?) that don't really know how to defend so they get all spaces to impose their game on. The minute they face a team that doesn't give that space nor lets them have their ball possession game they're over (just watch them vs Manutd or Barca the last 2 seasons, and I seriously don't think they have improve).

 

[Senatore_M84]

Arsenal is ALWAYS impressive in group stages were they face teams (btw, when was the last time Arsenal really got a decent-hard group?) that don't really know how to defend so they get all spaces to impose their game on. The minute they face a team that doesn't give that space nor lets them have their ball possession game they're over (just watch them vs Manutd or Barca the last 2 seasons, and I seriously don't think they have improve).

It's mental. Arsenal have the quality.... in terms of 'pure quality' few will argue. But they are young-ish. More than young they don't know how to win a big game. This is where letting guys like vieira, henry and co. REALLY costs you. You need players like that who are calm in a big game.

It's a reason why man utd do better than them. They got a lot of young tlaent too (the 07-08 team featured a 22 year old Ronaldo, 21 year old rooney, tevez was only 24 and on and on).... BUT when you got guys like scholes, giggs who have played big games and know how to play those games it makes your team infinitely better.

Sidenote: it's also why i laugh at some peoples lineups who feature 9 players under25 + antonini and flamini

 

[crazy4milan]

It's mental. Arsenal have the quality.... in terms of 'pure quality' few will argue. But they are young-ish. More than young they don't know how to win a big game. This is where letting guys like vieira, henry and co. REALLY costs you. You need players like that who are calm in a big game.

It's a reason why man utd do better than them. They got a lot of young tlaent too (the 07-08 team featured a 22 year old Ronaldo, 21 year old rooney, tevez was only 24 and on and on).... BUT when you got guys like scholes, giggs who have played big games and know how to play those games it makes your team infinitely better.

Sidenote: it's also why i laugh at some peoples lineups who feature 9 players under25 + antonini and flamini

Yeah this too, forgot to mention it. The 2006 squad that got to the finals still had Henry as a starter and leader of the team, and had Pires, Ljunberg, Lehmann, Campbell, Cole, Silva, sure they had lots of injuries throught the year but they had lots of leadership and backbone, and they were also able to adapt to circumstances better (in this Arsenal if they don't have possession they fall, that Arsenal knew how to play even without having possession).

 

[ezekiel2517]

It's funny how they bitch about Italians placing everyone behind the ball, but when Spain and Farca do it, everybody orgasms over it.

 

[Senatore_M84]

BAYERN MUNICH, Van Gaal: "I do not like as Roma played"
08:46| Redazione TMW | read 675
Source: Goal.com

© foto di Alberto Fornasari
Bayern Munich coach Louis Van Gaal has slammed the way Roma approached their Champions League encounter tonight at the Allianz Arena.

Van Gaal was not pleased the Giallorossi played a defensive brand of football, keeping many players behind the ball, but was satisfied his side still managed to win 2-0.

"In light of the circumstances, I thought we played very well," Van Gaal told L'Equipe after the match. "We knew the Italians would come to defend, but after 70 minutes, Roma were flat.

"Our fans must understand that it took time to break them down because we had to move the ball well. We scored two good goals, and could have scored two more.

"Roma did not create a single goalscoring opportunity, as they came to play with 10 players behind the ball. It may not have been spectacular, but they were exhausted. At half-time, I told my players to continue what they were doing and we were going to create scoring opportunities."

]Van Gaal said the style of football reminded him of Inter in their Champions League final against the Bavarians.

"Roma played like Inter in the Champions League final, and I do not like it. You may love to watch this style of football - 10 men behind the ball - but I do not," he concluded.

 

[Sonny.Bill.Williams]

For anyone who watched the cluj match. . how did Lacina traore play?

 

[manutd fan]

Chelsea will be the faviorites this season. Player for player I reckon they're now the best team in Europe, and have a quality manager.

 

[MilanMarkus]

It's mental. Arsenal have the quality.... in terms of 'pure quality' few will argue. But they are young-ish. More than young they don't know how to win a big game. This is where letting guys like vieira, henry and co. REALLY costs you. You need players like that who are calm in a big game.

It's a reason why man utd do better than them. They got a lot of young tlaent too (the 07-08 team featured a 22 year old Ronaldo, 21 year old rooney, tevez was only 24 and on and on).... BUT when you got guys like scholes, giggs who have played big games and know how to play those games it makes your team infinitely better.

Sidenote: it's also why i laugh at some peoples lineups who feature 9 players under25 + antonini and flamini

It's true that Arsenal brushes aside smaller teams very easily. Still I wonder what the result would have been if Milan played against Braga...

But Arsenal also has some players that have grown into "older" and " more experienced" players like Van Persie, Arshavin, Clichy, Squillaci, Eboue, Sagna, Rosicky and Chamack. Fabregas is still young but he has more than 4years extra experience at the highest level than his collagues of the same age.

 

[Senatore_M84]

It's true that Arsenal brushes aside smaller teams very easily. Still I wonder what the result would have been if Milan played against Braga...

But Arsenal also has some players that have grown into "older" and " more experienced" players like Van Persie, Arshavin, Clichy, Squillaci, Eboue, Sagna, Rosicky and Chamack. Fabregas is still young but he has more than 4years extra experience at the highest level than his collagues of the same age.

But aside from Fabregas, none of those players have won anything. Thats what i'm saying... they always come up short in big games cause it's a mentality thing. I know it sounds stupid but look at seedorf....

I ALWAYS felt if they didn't sell Vieira in 2005, they would have won 2006 UCL. I mean they came about 15 mins away from it, but way they folded after barca's first goal.... the team was mentally weak, which has been MO of arsenal since. Then again they did have pires, henry, cambell etc.

It also doesnt help wenger is becoming senile and refusing to play any other way than 'his way'. No dirtying up tactics to win for him... ever

 

[Jasper]

I ALWAYS felt if they didn't sell Vieira in 2005, they would have won 2006 UCL. I mean they came about 15 mins away from it, but way they folded after barca's first goal.... the team was mentally weak, which has been MO of arsenal since. Then again they did have pires, henry, cambell etc.

2006 wasn't the strongest Arsenal so it was a miracle they made it to the finals. This if they had Vieira is concentrating too much on a microscopical problem. It might fix the final, though only might but has no guarantee they'll make it to the final at all. Personally I never expected them to make it that far in 2006.

Also why are we discussing Arsenal? When someone posted an article about them I thought to myself 'but nobody cares about them here'. Guess I was wrong.

 

[GreatKalu]

For anyone who watched the cluj match. . how did Lacina traore play?

Not bad. Scored a goal at 3:00. Seems to have put on some bulk this season.

 

[Ashish]

2006 wasn't the strongest Arsenal so it was a miracle they made it to the finals. This if they had Vieira is concentrating too much on a microscopical problem. It might fix the final, though only might but has no guarantee they'll make it to the final at all. Personally I never expected them to make it that far in 2006.

Also why are we discussing Arsenal? When someone posted an article about them I thought to myself 'but nobody cares about them here'. Guess I was wrong.

+1213631

Every game of arsenal in europe insults me they are not a continental team and never should they be allowed to win

so want them cl even though we will be ripped apart

 

[GreatKalu]

I dunno ... 2007-2008 they looked unstoppable. If it wasn't for Flamini getting injured + a huge call going Liverpool's way, who knows what would've happened. Certainly they were the most entertaining team.

 

[ww]

Barcelona x Arsenal was one of the worst final ever. Two teams of pussies who didn't deserve to be there.

Now this year I won't be sad if Chelsea wins. Carlo, Essien and Drogba deserve it.

 

[Ashish]

none of the teams from london should win it

 

[Senatore_M84]

Barcelona x Arsenal was one of the worst final ever. Two teams of pussies who didn't deserve to be there.

Now this year I won't be sad if Chelsea wins. Carlo, Essien and Drogba deserve it.

neither of those teams where anywhere near what they are now. That barca team had some grit to it....

Despite getting screwed over in semi's v. Barca. I did like the deco, ronaldinho, guily combo along with van bommel. Atleast in my opinion it was a much tougher/balanced team than current barca.

As for Arsenal, this was kind of end of the era but those teams with vieira, pires, gilberto, henry, berkamp.... hardly 'pussy'

 

[ww]

neither of those teams where anywhere near what they are now. That barca team had some grit to it....

Despite getting screwed over in semi's v. Barca. I did like the deco, ronaldinho, guily combo along with van bommel. Atleast in my opinion it was a much tougher/balanced team than current barca.

As for Arsenal, this was kind of end of the era but those teams with vieira, pires, gilberto, henry, berkamp.... hardly 'pussy'

Yeah it was better but I didn't like to see Valdes, Oleguer, Ronaldinho, Fabregas, Henry, Rikjaard and Wenger on a UCL final. I don't even find all of them technically bad but they're all lame.

Henry had the chance to win this game and fail because he thinks that he's too classy to powerfully shoot the ball with his toe. He easily dribbled to inside Barça's box and instead of trying to make a hole on the net, he did a pussy-shoot with the side of his feet. Lame and gay.

 

[Senatore_M84]

Yeah it was better but I didn't like to see Valdes, Oleguer, Ronaldinho, Fabregas, Henry, Rikjaard and Wenger on a UCL final. I don't even find all of them technically bad but they're all lame.

Henry had the chance to win this game and fail because he thinks that he's too classy to powerfully shoot the ball with his toe. He easily dribbled to inside Barça's box and instead of trying to make a hole on the net, he did a pussy-shoot with the side of his feet. Lame and gay.

wtf is wrong with rijkaard and fabregas? rijkaard defined defensive midfielder. Fabregas is probably my #1 signing if i could have anyone at milan..... he is opposite of spanish midget army IMO. Notice they only scored in winner when he came in and played with some grit, and didn't try 4billion cutesy side balls

 

[ww]

wtf is wrong with rijkaard and fabregas? rijkaard defined defensive midfielder. Fabregas is probably my #1 signing if i could have anyone at milan..... he is opposite of spanish midget army IMO. Notice they only scored in winner when he came in and played with some grit, and didn't try 4billion cutesy side balls

I think that Rikjaard is so mediocre as a coach. Barça just took him because of his dutch style.

Fabregas is a midfielder who can't properly mark. I don't like him although I admit that there's flair on him when he's attacking.

For me, he's utter shit when compared to players like Hernanes, Essien, De Rossi, Pirlo...

Fabregas is definitely not one of my options. I wouldn't like him playing as attacking midfielder, CM or DM.

 

[fertygo]

Don't tell me you call Fabregas is pussies too.
I doubt even your listed fave player would keep playing n stand with broken leg.