NationStates Jolt Archive

This is going to degenerate pretty quickly into general soccer (football) talk but let's keep it on the right path at least for awhile. So, who's going to win club football's most prestigious prize?

By the way, I was born in Madrid so I'll have to go for Real...
(PS: If you are an American who knows nothing of football try to stay away... or add something constructive, I'm not trying to sound mean, simply trying to get the general opinion)

Soccer... Isn't that that football code with the funny shaped ball?

The French Team

Man U all the way. They haven't been in top form yet this season, but with Ruud back and the race with Chelsea on in the Premiership, they will find their way to the top again.

Well, I was too late to post my predictions on the round of 16 thread with any credibility, but let's see where my thoughts lead:

Lyon vs. Werder Bremen - Even without Elber, Lyon are a tough team. A definite chance, and their demolition job yesterday is proof of their quality.

Man U vs. AC Milan - Man U have defensive and keeper problems, while AC Milan are a team without real weaknesses. AC Milan have got to be a favourite.

Barcelona vs. Chelsea - This would have been a matchup worthy of the final. I was picking Chelsea, but with no real conviction. That still holds.

Inter Milan vs. Porto - Both dark horses, but both have had their recent problems. I'm picking Inter Milan to go through to the next round, but I doubt they'll be my pick after that.

Monaco vs. PSV - Monaco is my favourite team in Europe, so I have to pick them. They had a large turnover last summer, but picked up some quality players. Realistically, either team will be underdogs from here on in.

Real Madrid vs. Juventus - Juve's defence should be the decider here. If it weren't for some silly insistence that Del Piero can actually play, Juve would be one of the strongest teams.

Bayern Munich vs Arsenal - Arsenal needs to sort out their defence. Bayern needs to sort out their midfield. Bayern has the better chance to do something this year.

Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen - Liverpool have the players, but can they pick up their game to make their mark on Europe? Leverkusen need lots of luck.

Out of that, I'm going to pick AC Milan over Lyon in the final. At least 6 out of the 8 after this round will have real chances though.

Lyon, eh? Interesting... I wouldn't have picked them (not saying you're wrong), but I guess that we saw what happened when they were underestimated once... however, AC Milan is my pick. The most well organised, disciplined team is often the most successful, and that's a hallmark of Italian teams...

Man U are also a quality team, even without Ruud van Nistelrooy, they put together that great run in the EPL... but they'll need to pull a rabbit out of the hat to go through at the San Siro...

Lyon's a bit of an interesting story. Everyone made fun of them when their coach (owner?) said that they were going to win the league four years ago. After all, Lyon had never won anything to speak of (their last real trophy was the French Cup in 1973). Since then, they've won the last 3 titles, so the management knows what they're doing.

Plus I think French clubs are generally underrated.

The French Team

I think Arsenal are up against it, to be honest. ;)

I don't know why, but I think this year might be Barca's. They're a brilliant team, and they have some world class players.

Real Madrid- Have had a bit of a rollercoaster season, too unpredictable.
Barcelona- Consistently good, some brilliant players.
Bayern Munich- Lacking some of the star quality that Barca or others have in my opinion.
AC Milan- They'll get quite far, but ultimately I don't think they're a match for Barca.
Juventus- Aren't as good as AC or Barca, but are probably capable of causing an upset.
Arsenal- Way too unpredictable, haven't had a very good season so far.
Chelsea- I bloody well hope not!
Manchester United- Just not to the level of others here, will go out soon.

Chelsea are fucked. The loss against Newcastle really drained the morale out of the team. When they have momentum they're unstoppable but it takes only one major loss to destroy confidence. We observed the same phenomenon with Arsenal last season. One week they were in 3 competitons and the next out of 2.

Chelsea have won the league but that's all I'm giving them.

Barceloooona.

WTF.. Why isn't there Liverpool over there? They might win you know!

Why isn't there Liverpool over there? They might win you know!

HAHAHAHA!

Chelsea are fucked. The loss against Newcastle really drained the morale out of the team. When they have momentum they're unstoppable but it takes only one major loss to destroy confidence. We observed the same phenomenon with Arsenal last season. One week they were in 3 competitons and the next out of 2.

Chelsea have won the league but that's all I'm giving them.

No chance this weekend against Liverpool then?

Oh and did you look at the reserve team they fielded against Newcastle. Did you watch the game? In the second half, 10 man Chelsea dominated 11 man Newcastle. They were actualy in 4 competitions, now they are only in 3. No great loss.
Now they score once against Barca at Stanford Bridge and their defence does their normal job and Barca are out, Chelsea through to the quarters. Not the most unlikely of stories, is it?
Don't write off the Blues just yet.

No chance this weekend against Liverpool then?

Oh and did you look at the reserve team they fielded against Newcastle.
Hardly a "reserve" team. There were possibly three nonregulars, and Mourinho made the rather foolish decision put his three best players on a half time.

Did you watch the game? In the second half, 10 man Chelsea dominated 11 man Newcastle.
Did they bollocks. Yes, I watched the match, at best I'd say the second half was quite even.

They were actualy in 4 competitions, now they are only in 3. No great loss.
Now they score once against Barca at Stanford Bridge and their defence does their normal job and Barca are out, Chelsea through to the quarters. Not the most unlikely of stories, is it?

Personally, I think it is in this case. Barca are too good.

Don't write off the Blues just yet.
You just watch me. :cool:

Man U all the way. They haven't been in top form yet this season, but with Ruud back and the race with Chelsea on in the Premiership, they will find their way to the top again.
Erm...race with Chelsea on? With all respect - my arse is it on. Chelsea have won the league. And there is no way this side of Omicron Persei VIII will Man Utd beat Milan at the San Siro.
Barca for the Champions League! If only so I become £110 richer.

Hardly a "reserve" team. There were possibly three nonregulars, and Mourinho made the rather foolish decision put his three best players on a half time.
Yeah, I hope he learnt to always keep something in reserve.
Did they bollocks. Yes, I watched the match, at best I'd say the second half was quite even.
When 10 vs 11 is seen as quite even, I would say that is evidence that the 10 outplayed the 11. But I may be wrong.
Personally, I think it is in this case. Barca are too good.
Yeah they are quite good. What was the result the last time they visited Stamford Bridge? They were quite good then as well. Time will tell.
You just watch me. :cool:
My eyes are peeled and I tremble in anticipation ;)

The commentators came up with a couple interesting stats in the Man U - Milan match this morning. According to them, that was the first game since 1971 that an Italian club has scored at Old Trafford, and it was the first ever win in England for AC Milan, in 9 attempts (I don't know if either includes tournament finals, although both hold true for the one a couple years ago). Fairly surprising if they're true.