[EU] Champions League 04/05 (39 Viewers)

[swag]

As a point of comparison, in my mind, giving Liverpool a slot in next year's CL purely on the basis of winning the tournament would be the retarded equivalent of automatically putting last year's Super Bowl champion automatically in the NFL playoffs the following season. Somebody who busted their asses off in the regular season would have to lose out to some slob who rested on their laurels.

 

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[baggio]

That's one way of looking at it. But if you look at it from Liverpool's point of view. They could draw up the same argument saying, that the only reason they placed 5th or whatever in the league, is because they busted their asses off in the Champions League. And if Liverpool do win, which i think they will, it would only be right that they be given a place in next season's competition. Defending champs in my opinion need to get an opportunity such as this, which amounts to more than just a cash reward, for their efforts.

 

[ADP Timers]

Good to see Juve automatically qualifying for the CL next year though, and not having to ALMOST get knocked out by Djugarden in the beg weeks. Remember that? Back in the good ole days when Trez was a goal machine for Juve, late August/early September.

 

[swag]

++ [ originally posted by baggio ] ++
That's one way of looking at it. But if you look at it from Liverpool's point of view. They could draw up the same argument saying, that the only reason they placed 5th or whatever in the league, is because they busted their asses off in the Champions League. And if Liverpool do win, which i think they will, it would only be right that they be given a place in next season's competition. Defending champs in my opinion need to get an opportunity such as this, which amounts to more than just a cash reward, for their efforts.

I have no sympathies for Liverpool in this situation. Many other teams have to deal with the challenge of a gruelling league campaign plus CL and national cup games during the week. That's no excuse for letting your national league form slide. You have to choose your priorities. Look at Parma. They could have fielded their top stars in the UEFA Cup, but relegation was first and foremost on their minds so they fielded their reserves instead -- and with good reason.

Winning the Champions League is its own reward. You don't need any more free tickets than that... particularly if they're going to be at the expense of another deserving team who took their national league competition more seriously than they did.

I just can't fathom the concept of saying that North Carolina won the U.S. national collegiate basketball tournament this year, so that should mean they should automatically qualify to defend it next season. Tournaments shouldn't give priority and preferential treatment to teams who do well in past tournaments. Hypothetically, to the bizarre extreme, that could mean Liverpool could have finished below West Bromwich Albion this season and still qualify for the CL next year, which is insane.

 

[DelpieroForLife]

FORZA Liverpool ruined AC Milan's season

 

[JCK]

Isn't it wonderful that Milan's season gets ruined only at the end?

 

[giovanotti]

++ [ originally posted by Jeeks ] ++
Isn't it wonderful that Milan's season gets ruined only at the end?

It is!!!!

 

[sallyinzaghi]

++ [ originally posted by baggio ] ++
That's one way of looking at it. But if you look at it from Liverpool's point of view. They could draw up the same argument saying, that the only reason they placed 5th or whatever in the league, is because they busted their asses off in the Champions League. And if Liverpool do win, which i think they will, it would only be right that they be given a place in next season's competition. Defending champs in my opinion need to get an opportunity such as this, which amounts to more than just a cash reward, for their efforts.

Its still not right. 'Pool knew what was at stake - finish in the top four or you're out. We shouldnt make an exception in this case. There were other CL champions who still managed to stay in the top 4 of their league. If 'Pool didnt manage to do so, it's their loss. They have been warned.

 

[baggio]

It shouldnt be an exception, but rather the rule in my opinion. With the kind of schedules teams have to face currently, its almost impossible to keep up the same level in all competitons. I tend to agree with Swag when he says winning the Champions League is a reward in itself, but quite clearly i dont see how teams are expected to cope in these times. The Parma example, quite clearly showed that it can only be one or the other, as a realistic point of view, and Parma chose survival over glory. But as regards the current situation, I just believe as Champions League winners, you ought to have the right to defend your title. And moreover, it doesnt speak well for the level of the Champions League, if one actually looks at it from a viewpoint where the Champions one season, arent even good enough to qualify for the next.

I think we could draw the line somewhere and give teams in such situations maybe a wild card qualifier situation or something.

 

[Zlatan]

But that would still mean one of the other nations would have to give away their spot, and we all that wont happen.

 

[sallyinzaghi]

Exactly, and even so it would be very much unfair to Everton. Parma and 'Pool with all due respect did well in Europe but if they dont have the agility to at least stay in the top 4 in their respective leagues, again it is their own undoing. It's very difficult but the teams have to overcome that problem

 

[madlawyer1]

A boon for fans of Liverpool and hocus-pocus: England's fifth-finest
will wear red in the Big Cup final on May 25. Milan had been drawn as
the home team but have agreed to wear white instead of their
traditional red and black kit. Liverpool's four previous European Cup
victories have come when they wore red against rivals in white.

 

[swag]

++ [ originally posted by Jeeks ] ++
Isn't it wonderful that Milan's season gets ruined only at the end?

Milan still has a decent shot at a double, so let's not kid ourselves.

But considering, this past week for Milan was pretty close to the primo ugly one we had last season -- where we were plagued by key injuries, and we saw ourselves booted out by Depor in the CL and then knocked around by Milan to open a massive gap for the Scudetto.

 

[JCK]

++ [ originally posted by swag ] ++


Milan still has a decent shot at a double, so let's not kid ourselves.

Exactly what I meant, having a shot at the double and ruining it all in the end, ain't it lovely?

 

[Henry]

++ [ originally posted by swag ] ++
As a point of comparison, in my mind, giving Liverpool a slot in next year's CL purely on the basis of winning the tournament would be the retarded equivalent of automatically putting last year's Super Bowl champion automatically in the NFL playoffs the following season. Somebody who busted their asses off in the regular season would have to lose out to some slob who rested on their laurels.

that's the most retarded comparison I've yet to read. CL participation is based on league play, sure, BUT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR!!! the only thing that matches is the fact that it is league peformance that determines playoff/CL spot. because in fact CL participation IS determined by the PREVIOUS years place and accomplishment, just not in the CL. look, in the NFL, you have the reg season, and then playoffs. top however-many teams from the reg season then play in the playoffs, because the playoffs are AFTER the reg season. follow? but in european soccer, the "playoffs", ie CL, take place at the same time, so it is a completely different situation. whether participation is determined by CL or league place, it is from the previous season.

 

[sallyinzaghi]

++ [ originally posted by swag ] ++


Milan still has a decent shot at a double, so let's not kid ourselves.

But considering, this past week for Milan was pretty close to the primo ugly one we had last season -- where we were plagued by key injuries, and we saw ourselves booted out by Depor in the CL and then knocked around by Milan to open a massive gap for the Scudetto.

Carlo was crazy to play the same squad over and over again, and there were comments from him that he would not rotate. Unless he does so it will be difficult for the players to cope up

Think its only a matter of how long they can recover ... having said that I still think they're more likely to win the CL though I hope not

 

[Slagathor]

I'm not buying this 4 spots per country guarantee yet. The usual case scenario is that a smaller country gets raped, in this case so that a big country can have 5 teams participating.

 

[Desmond]

I say let Pool and Everton fight it out,whoever wins gets the spot.

After that,we'll have to decide whether the team still has to play in the qualifiers(as the fourth placed team in England does every season) or gets automatic qualification reserved for winners of CL.

 

[Maresca]

I want liverpool in the CL next year, just to get our revange..

 

[Maher]

I hate both teams , i dont know who i prefer to win