11/21/24
December 16, 2005
Champions League draw: EPL champs Chelsea vs El rey de la Liga Barcelona.: And in another mouth watering matchup - Arsenal will take on Real Madrid.
These will be some great rounds but I don't think Rangers have a chance, even against Villareal. Of course, I would say that being a Celtic supporter.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 11:14 AM on December 16, 2005
I'm afraid your probably right.
posted by skydivedad at 11:34 AM on December 16, 2005
Just back from our works Xmas piss-up, which is probably where most Brits are at the moment. Tough draw for the English clubs but if you want to win it, you have to play these teams sooner or later. Rangers will presumably be gobsmacked to reach this stage, and they're not the only ones. Britain v Iberia. And let the rest of the saps handbag it out between themselves. I like it.
posted by squealy at 01:05 PM on December 16, 2005
Er, who are "the" Rangers?
posted by salmacis at 03:01 PM on December 16, 2005
Good Point salmacis. "The Rangers" I stand corrected. Thanks
posted by skydivedad at 03:19 PM on December 16, 2005
I hope all the english teams win their games, it would be great though to see the spending power of Real Madrid and Chelsea get knocked out though.
posted by acesrt132 at 03:24 PM on December 16, 2005
I sure as heck hope ESPN2 show one of the Barcelona-Chelsea ties for one of the four American broadcast slots because they have a tendency to go with Real Madrid, ManU or Liverpool. Of course I hope at least one of the other three is Liverpool, preferably the home leg. Liverpool gets by Benefica, Barca tops Chelsea. I don't see Juventus getting 'stomped' by Bremen, they've had a mixed run of late but these matches aren't until the end of February and by then you have to think they'll wake up. Real Madrid v Arsenal, I think that's very tough to call and will pivot on the psychology and injury on game day. Milan will handle Bayern Munich, but not by much, a goal or two or even a shootout. So let's see, making some guesses, that leaves Liverpool, Barcelona, WBremen, Milan, Arsenal, Villareal, Lyon, and Inter (I am a big Adriano fan!) to go through. Wow, these would make for seven awesome matches to the finals.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:29 PM on December 16, 2005
I should hope ESPN takes the chance to show Ronaldinho against one of the top English teams. He's the 2004 FIFA POTY and finalist against this year, easy sell (one might think).
posted by gspm at 03:56 PM on December 16, 2005
Liverpool will not make it past Benfica... Remember this post...
posted by StarFucker at 04:24 PM on December 16, 2005
Star I disagree totally! Gers get through as well and so does Arsenal.
posted by skydivedad at 04:29 PM on December 16, 2005
I'm going with... Barcelona over Chelsea, Real Madrid over Arsenal, Juventus over Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich over AC Milan, PSV over Lyon, Inter over Ajax, Liverpool over Benfica and Villareal over Rangers. Hmm...that's only one British team going through and, IMHO, Liverpool only just make it...could go to extra time or penalties...Barcelona and Chelsea could also but I still think Barca will go through.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 06:11 PM on December 16, 2005
Of course all this goes out the window with injuries to key players or big moves in January, like Ballack leaving B. Munich.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 06:12 PM on December 16, 2005
these are intresting matches hears how I think its going to be Barcelona beats Chelsea (only if Ronaldinho, Messi, Eto are at there best) Arsenal beats Real Madrid (tough one to call right now cuz i haven't seen how the new manager plays) Juventus beats Werder Bremen (this is logical) AC Milan beats Bayern Munich (that is if Ballack Leaves) Lyon beats PSV (close match but Lyon pulls through) Inter beats Ajax ( Inter is starting to gain steam) Liverpool beats Benfica (the only teams that are going to beat these guys are Juve, Barca, Lyon) Villareal beats Rangers (Two boring matches)
posted by J3sUsD at 09:29 PM on December 16, 2005
I should hope ESPN takes the chance to show Ronaldinho against one of the top English teams. He's the 2004 FIFA POTY and finalist against this year, easy sell (one might think). Good point. Actually this match should feature all three 2005 POTY finalists so I hope an even easier sell. J3sUsD, I notice that all (four) of your comments here are on soccer. Do you have a team in the EPL (http://fantasy.premierleague.com/) or UEFA Champions League (http://en.uclfantasy.uefa.com/) fantasy league? If so, please join our private league.
posted by billsaysthis at 02:26 PM on December 17, 2005
It's a shame that Chelsea and Barca have to meet so soon, they are probably the two best teams in Europe right now. Barca is going to miss Xavi in the midfield, but they are playing so well right now I can't see anybody beating them, not even Chelsea. Anybody who hasn't had a chance to see Barcelona play is in for a real treat, they are a beautiful team to watch...!
posted by sic at 02:34 PM on December 17, 2005
Barcelona are truly magnificent and play high quality football, full of wit, week after week after week. Of course being consistently and outrageously brilliant doesn't mean they will win, but I hope they do.
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:14 PM on December 17, 2005
No i don't have one but i will get one thanks for the info "billsaysthis"
posted by J3sUsD at 07:33 PM on December 17, 2005
Wow! Should be a complete slugfest. I wouldn't mind seeing Chelsea eliminated but I'm no fan of Spanish Soccer. I'm leaning towards the Rangers (I love a Pugnacious Underdog) and was glad to see them avoid the Big Guns with the draw of Villareal. It should be interesting to see Barry Ferguson run in with Juan Roman Riquelme. Hopefully Arsenal gets by Real Madrid although they have won the European Cup in it's various disguises a record 9 times they have never faced each other in a competitive match. I also see Liverpool getting by Benfica. I got Bremen getting by a distracted Juventus team and Bayern Munich putting a stomping on Milan. Lyon over PSV Eindhoven with Ajax taking care of business over Internazionale. Could be a spring to remember!