Champions League Discussion (06/07)
Well, it sort of is a bit late to be starting this thread seeing as we are already heading towards the semi-finals. For anyone who doesn't know we are talking about the real 'football' here (soccer). So anyways, i'd like to hear your thoughts on who will win which games and such.
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Quarter Finals:
Manchester United (7) - (1) AS Roma: Man U (8) - (3) AS Roma on Aggregate
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Who would've thought that Manchester United would teach Roma such a hard lesson. We came from 2-1 down from the previous game (which was away) only to beat them 7-1 on our own turf! I am a Manchester United supporter and i'm delighted to see them go through. So, what did you think of the game?
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Chelsea (2) - (1) Valencia: Chelsea (3) - (2) Valencia on Aggregate
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I thought Chelsea wheren't playing very well during the first half and they apparently got a good old kick up the butt by Jose. But they proved they do deserve being in the championship by playing 110% in the second half and Michael Essien wrapped it up by scoring that 89th Minute goal. So, what where your thoughts on this match?
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Liverpool (1) - (0) PSV Eindhoven: Liverpool (4) - (0) PSV Eindhoven on Aggregate
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Hardly an exciting game in my opinion but Peter Crouch did it again. Another goal! He seems to be scoring in every liverpool game, if only he could do that for England. Well, Chelsea vs. Liverpool, what do you think's gonna happen?
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AC Milan (2) - (0) Bayern Munich: AC Milan (4) - (2) Bayern Munich on Aggregate
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Well Seedorf and Filippo helped AC Milan win their 1/4 Final and get them through to face United. I think AC Milan played really well even though Bayern Munich looked like the strongest team in the first few minutes. Much better than my prediction!
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Predictions:
Bayern Munich (2) - (3) AC Milan: Bayern Munich (4) - (5) AC Milan on Aggregate (Such a bad prediction)
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Well their previous encounter ended in a 2-2 draw. I do believe AC Milan will beat them later on today. My prediction is a 3-2 victory for Milan and a 5-4 win on Aggregate. Who do you reckon will win?
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Liverpool (5) - (0) PSV Eindhoven: Liverpool (8) - (0) PSV Eindhoven on Aggregate (A really bad prediction)
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I don't think PSV will be much of a threat to liverpool as liverpool beat them 3-0 on their own turf. I believe liverpool will score another 5 at Anfield or possibly 6. We can be certain that liverpool go through and will play chelsea. So, what do you think?
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Semi Finals:
First Legs:
Manchester United (3) - (2) AC Milan:
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An excellent performance by both teams. My prediction wasn't far off
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Chelsea (1) - (0) Liverpool:
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Well my prediction was totally off target and chelsea won their first leg. but i do believe liverpool will still go through.
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Semi Finals: Predictions
First Legs:
Manchester United (4) - (2) AC Milan ( A reasonable prediction ) //
Liverpool (3) - (0) Chelsea ( A bit off target ) //
What do you think will happen?
Second Legs:
Manchester United (2) - (1) AC Milan (Way off ): Manchester United (6) - (3) AC Milan on Aggregate (Way off)
Liverpool (2) - (2) Chelsea ( Way off, well done liverpool ): Liverpool (5) - (2) Chelsea on Aggregate
Semi Finals Results:
AC Milan (3) - (0) Manchester United: AC Milan (5) - (3) Manchester United on Aggregate
Terrible, absolutely terrible. What was Heinze doing on the field? I hope Man U play better against city this weekend.
AC Milan was clearly the better side and i wish them the best of luck in the finals.
Liverpool (1) - (0) Chelsea: Liverpool (1) - (1) Chelsea on Aggregare. Liverpool win (4) - (1) on penalties
Well done liverpool, good luck in the finals.
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Finals: Predictions
AC Milan (1) - (3) Liverpool
Liverpool (3) - (1) AC Milan
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Propax's Semi-Finals Team Review:
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Manchester United vs. AC Milan:
Manchester United:
Edwin Van Der Sar - This goalkeeper can be as safe as houses but in recent weeks has shown he has weaknesses, If he can overcome this blip and perform well he will produce great confidence throughout the team and thus providing a good energy, which will be greatly needed.
Vidic - He has been arguably the best defender all season in the premiership and possibly across Europe. He is useful in the air and has great strength, when he is on top of his game I am sure even the worlds top attacking footballers would struggle to find a way through.
Ferdinand - Rio is a cool as they come when under pressure, his consistent form throughout all comps has seen him become a much needed player within the team this season. Get him in the right frame of mind and nothing will get passed him.
Scholes - A true legend at united and a great inspirations to the younger players within the team. He perfects the role of playmaker and still is one of the worlds best at his trade, add this to his ability to be able to bullet shots from 20 yards + and you have a deadly player.
Giggs - He is most certainly a key player at united, but despite his age he can still tangle the legs of even the worlds top defenders.
Ronaldo - Well what can I say apart from Electricť, he has set the premiership alight this season with tricks and flicks that we never even knew existed, he will certainly be a worthy successor of Ronaldhino to the throne of World player of the year.
Rooney - He was possibly the most hyped up player of last summer and to be honest didnt live up to expectations. I think since his move from Merseyside he hasnt really made a magnificent impact at united, on his debut he scored a hat-trick but he has never really advanced from there. Im not saying he isnt good because we all know he is superb, but I feel he plays a better role of being playmaker rather than a striker, he seems more effective when linking up play between the midfield and the strikers. If he plays well he can deffinently be a great weapon in our arsenal.
AC Milan:
Gattuso - He was a United transfer target for last summer but nothing ever came of it. He is a safe and clever player and Milan will sure enough use his defensive attributes to their favour.
Kaka - He shows great confidence and manoeuvrability on and off the ball, and will use these abilities to shred the Midfield of United.
Seedorf - He has won 3 C.leauge titles with 3 different clubs, the only player to do so, and will bring a wealth of experience to the Milan setup.
Gilardino - He is a clinical striker and is severely under rated; he has scored 17 goals in 34 apps in Serie A but has failed to open his C.leauge account with AC.
Inzaghi - This player is a favourite within the ranks of the AC Milan supporters and with 12 goals in 23 apps is looking pretty sharp in the later stages of his career.
With defenders like Cafu, Nesta and Maldini I feel the United forwards may find it difficult to break through, but the united team have youth and experience on there side and with this formula may just over turn The Rossoneri.
Overall I think united can beat AC Milan by a comfortable margin. We just cant under estimate what is a very effective team; they create goals from nothing and can sting any team who doesnt approach with caution.
Score Prediction:
(h) Man United 2 - (a) AC Milan 1
(h) AC Milan 2 - Man United 3 (a)
Man United 5 - AC Milan 3 (on agg)
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Liverpool vs. Chelsea:
Liverpool:
Reina - He is a solid keeper and is looking a good 2nd keeper for Spain, he has a reputation amongst the Chelsea players and supporters but, if he can put that aside I am sure he will do well. It's crucial for him to be at his best.
D.Agger - A young but mature centre half, he will probably be a starting feature in Rafa's squad and have strong opposition with the likes of Drogba and Shevchenko to keep him company.
Carragher - He is proving to be a consistent team player and showing his worth throughout the team, if he plays well it breeds confidence throughout the back 4, which will be a big bonus for Liverpool.
Gerrard - He is the midfield mechanic and shown he is arguably the best midfielder in Europe. If he can get forward and provide for the strikers I am sure this will apply great pressure to the Chelsea defence.
Alonso - Again another midfield maestro, his short game play is superb and he is flawless with long pases which will be a benefit to Liverpool. If he can keep his cool and pick up no cards I am sure he will be effective.
Pennant - He can provide abit of wizardry on the right flank and has a good end product, if he can cut inside his marker and bring play to the middle of the park this will surely disrupt the Chelsea structure and be a huge benefit to Liverpool's game.
Crouch - He has been Liverpool's best striker this season netting 18 goals in all comps. If he can play just of the shoulder of his marker and have balls whipped in at head height this will be a big danger to Chelsea.
Chelsea:
Cech - Easily the worlds best keeper and has excelled since his horrific injury against Wigan. He has to be confident when playing against the forwards of Liverpool and show his class.
Terry - Despite his injuries throughout the winter period his has come back to phenomenal form, and has shown he is worthy to captain his club along with his country. They need him on form and able to contain the Liverpool attacks.
A. Cole - Since leaving Arsenal in the summer he has been a regular starter for Jose and has shown his class week in week out, he can provide great pace down the left flank and will be a threat to the Liverpool right back, be it D.Agger or J.Carragher on duty.
Lampard - I feel he is possibly the world's most over rated player and is constantly under pressure to perform. He has had good performances this season but plays better when pulling the strings of link up play between the Mid and Att.
Ballack - He will be the main structure of the midfield when playing Liverpool, he will undoubtly get forward and possibly sit just behind the strikers providing a great driving force into the heart of the Liverpool defence.
Drogba - He has proved all of his critics wrong this season and has shown that you don't need to waste Ł30 million on a ageing player when you have him in your team. He has been finding the net all season and will be the biggest threat to Liverpool, With great aerial ability and the strength to compliment his structure he will most deffinently be a hand full on the night.
Score predictions :
(h) Chelsea 2 - Liverpool 1 (a)
(h) Liverpool 3 - Chelsea 1 (a)
Liverpool 4 - Chelsea 3 (on agg)
I think this is a fair and realistic result going on the fact Chelsea have a recent habit of scoring in the dying minutes, I feel that’s what will happen at Stamford bridge resulting in Liverpool losing. But I also feel Liverpool can pull it back at Anfield, with the right crowd and enough energy anything can swing their way.
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Well, give me your thoughts
AC Milan - 2007 Champions League Winners - 7 times!
Edited by Zero.Dub, 24 May 2007 - 12:35 PM.
