[EU] Champions League 06/07 (32 Viewers)

[K0STA]

Well, he is in a different country now and in Barcelona he knows nobody of his team-mates except Thuram.

It takes time to adjust to the new team.

Exactly! I agree... He looks lost... Doesn't play his natural role in Barca, hence struggling

If I was in his place, I'd never leave Juve... not only Juve, but Leaving Beautiful Country where everyone loves you. where you have friends, all speak same language... He has won everything... (except for that Damn champions league, why the heck he needs that so desperately)...

Now he moved where nobody loves hime like in Italy; He WILL never be respected as much... in Spain...

Well... I'm dissapointed with his move..

 

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[Intro]

They ve got no chances on Nou Camp, Barca is gonna kill them.

They could make problems to Chelsea at Bremen, thats true.

Dont forget that Barca has now 2 home games, thats a big advantage for them.

Anyway its gonna be interesting, but I highly doubt Barca is gonna get kicked out.

How can anyone who watched last nights game say "Barca will kill them at the Nou Camp"?

Chelsea were defensively strong and comfortable last night. Ok Barca didn't show much ambition but it's now clear that last years results were heavily balanced by that early decision at Stamford Bridge. Only Chelsea has given Barca any kind of real problem in the CL now for the third season. Saying that their last away performance against Werder was very worrying too.

That last minute penalty against Werder saved them from elimination. Even a defeat to Chelsea at home and a gift from Chelsea away to Bremen would leave Barca with it in their own hands home to Werder. First spot now looks impossible though.

 

[Marc]

Barca deserved to loose , ronaldenio was in bad form

 

[Marc]

How can anyone who watched last nights game say "Barca will kill them at the Nou Camp"?

Because Barca are still the best team in Europe and objectively much stronger than Werder.

Werder has a poor defense and Barca is untouchable at Nou Camp.

 

[JCK]

For the Rolandinho lovers, remember this face

For the Messi lovers, remember this face

And to those of you who think highly of Barcelona's midfield, remember this man

 

[Intro]

Yeah I like how Gudjohnsen was anonymous (Rijkaard's fault for signing and playing him) but Ronaldinho and Messi who were the two main problems for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last year were completely contained by Boulahrouz and Cole.

Compare last nights display at full-back to that of Ferreira and Del Horno/Geremi last time. Proving Mourinho has strengthened the defence despite losing Gallas - especially with the Frenchman's unwillingness to operate at full-back.

Finally, you are right in saying that Essien has been a revelation. He showed his worth to Chelsea fans at the WC with Ghana. Despite capturing Ballack - Mourinho has found a way to accomodate all four and the diamond midfield finally showed a new strategy for Chelsea which makes them much less one-dimensional.

The only downside is the form of Sheva and it is clear he will never perform in the role behind Drogba. Sheva has only ever been sporadically successful in this role at Milan (i.e. when playing with Inzaghi or Crespo) but to do so in a new climate is going to be difficult.

I expect to see Robben push for that role in the CL matches unless Sheva improves. The idea was to for Sheva to play with someone else and Drogba from the bench but the Ivorian has destroyed that plan.

 

[sateeh]

Didnt know ur a Chelsea fan Jack

and i thought messi fared very well against Ashley cole, Lionel was the biggest threat.

And Essien is having a great season.Living up to his potential.

 

[JCK]

Yeah I like how Gudjohnsen was anonymous (Rijkaard's fault for signing and playing him) but Ronaldinho and Messi who were the two main problems for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last year were completely contained by Boulahrouz and Cole.

Compare last nights display at full-back to that of Ferreira and Del Horno/Geremi last time. Proving Mourinho has strengthened the defence despite losing Gallas - especially with the Frenchman's unwillingness to operate at full-back.

Finally, you are right in saying that Essien has been a revelation. He showed his worth to Chelsea fans at the WC with Ghana. Despite capturing Ballack - Mourinho has found a way to accomodate all four and the diamond midfield finally showed a new strategy for Chelsea which makes them much less one-dimensional.

The only downside is the form of Sheva and it is clear he will never perform in the role behind Drogba. Sheva has only ever been sporadically successful in this role at Milan (i.e. when playing with Inzaghi or Crespo) but to do so in a new climate is going to be difficult.

I expect to see Robben push for that role in the CL matches unless Sheva improves. The idea was to for Sheva to play with someone else and Drogba from the bench but the Ivorian has destroyed that plan.

I thought Chelsea were playing more of a square midfield that moves to be a diamond only when necessary.

Sheva was definitely frustrated yesterday, I thought if he just put the ball behind the net he will explode. One thing I disagree with Jose on was bringing Robben earlier. Had he done that, the countrer attacks Chelsea did would have been more dangerous and probably goals

Didnt know ur a Chelsea fan Jack

and i thought messi fared very well against Ashley cole, Lionel was the biggest threat.

And Essien is having a great season.Living up to his potential.

I am ONLY a Juve fan, however I root for certain teams at certain games. Consider me one of the people who dislike everything about Barcelona, thus I stood with the blues last night. Well, I would like them also to win the whole tournament and upset every living football fan who does not cheer for them, NS bove all upset UEFA.

 

[sateeh]

I am ONLY a Juve fan, however I root for certain teams at certain games. Consider me one of the people who dislike everything about Barcelona, thus I stood with the blues last night. Well, I would like them also to win the whole tournament and upset every living football fan who does not cheer for them, NS bove all upset UEFA

anyway am the complete opposite about chelsea.I dont like Chelsea at all, i had more respect to them in the past but not now(i dont hate them yet though)
I liked Barca more before this season.This season they r a bit arrogant, same goes to some of their fans. But i respect them as they have great heritage and history.
I guess my dislike to Barca comes from some fans back home and in other arab countries. Its like everyone is a Barca fan these days.Some weren't even following football, others have been shut down by the failuers of past seasons.

Anyway back to the CL, who here fancies Lyon to reach the semis ? I think they will if they got a favourable draw in the 2nd round.

 

[V]

i despise everything barca have become, they make me sick. i can't believe i used to like that team years ago..

Anyway back to the CL, who here fancies Lyon to reach the semis ? I think they will if they got a favourable draw in the 2nd round.

i'd fancied them to win the damn thing, though i prefer valencia.

 

[JCK]

I think Lyon have the possibilities to go all the way.

See why I want Chelsea to win? You don't like them, so by winning you will get upset And don't take this personal, it goes to many many others. Chelsea are a team that is hated a lot, just like Juventus. These are teams that if you are not a fan, you just hate them.

As for Barcelona, they have always been arrogant, their fans are the most annoying on earth, kinda like Inter. Even during their dark years they were like that and now they are wearing this character more and more. Actually I am hoping Bremen would pull their self up a bit and hopefully with the help of Chelsea winning in Camp Nou, to take the number 2 spot in the group. This will bring Barcelona back to earth.

 

[sateeh]

I think Lyon have the possibilities to go all the way.

See why I want Chelsea to win? You don't like them, so by winning you will get upset And don't take this personal, it goes to many many others. Chelsea are a team that is hated a lot, just like Juventus. These are teams that if you are not a fan, you just hate them.

As for Barcelona, they have always been arrogant, their fans are the most annoying on earth, kinda like Inter. Even during their dark years they were like that and now they are wearing this character more and more. Actually I am hoping Bremen would pull their self up a bit and hopefully with the help of Chelsea winning in Camp Nou, to take the number 2 spot in the group. This will bring Barcelona back to earth.

yeah i see where ur going .

About Bremen, if that would happen they could pull it off then i would be a very happy man.I like them, they're one of my favourite german teams. And i think they could pull it off. Then all those (barca posers would get back to earth)

i think Lyon will go far this, based on the fact that they have experience needed to do so.And also cuz they r cruising in the league.

@vlat, Valencia could do well.But they need more consistency.I mean they dont have the toughest group, but it would be interesting to see how they go agains the big guns in the 2nd round.

 

[JCK]

Don't you find it amazing that Lyon every year sell key players and still they are in such a great shape? And I am not talking about League 1 because they are superior there, it takes a lot for them to lose shape. And I think Houiller is doing a great job in introducing new players every time.

 

[sateeh]

Don't you find it amazing that Lyon every year sell key players and still they are in such a great shape? And I am not talking about League 1 because they are superior there, it takes a lot for them to lose shape. And I think Houiller is doing a great job in introducing new players every time.

yeah very amazing. Never thought i would say that but Credit to Houllier. I thought he was going to destroy that club after he came in. But hes doing a great job.

Thats why i hope they do well.Nothing fancy about their transfers but still a solid and even entertaining team.

 

[Marc]

Compare last nights display at full-back to that of Ferreira and Del Horno/Geremi last time.

I expect to see Robben push for that role in the CL matches unless Sheva improves.

Just compare Chelsea full-bacs to Juventus full-backs.

Yeah, I dont know what is Robben doing on the bench. He is awesome. He brings panic into opposite defence. He should be a starter.

 

[Intro]

Good to see everyone reading off my sheet.

I see this seasons winner coming from the select group of Chelsea, Lyon and Arsenal with outside chances for (believe it or not!) Milan and Bayern.

I hope for Lyon too - they've been one of the best sides for so long and despite my dislike for Houllier they deserve to crown these past five years with the ultimate reward.

Fear not Barca fans you will be back in 2007-2008 when I expect an ALL-SPANISH final and Spain to win Euro 2008. Many things must happen for this to occur; Barca, Valencia, Sevilla and either Madrid club to qualify. More importantly Aragones must go.

 

[flieeeekke]

man utd for the semis umpkin:

 

[Intro]

man utd for the semis umpkin:

Rooney to NOT score in the Champions League this season again!

Oh and in that Spanish year of 2008 - Nadal will win both the French Open and Wimbledon that summer!

 

[Dominic]

Ronaldinho .

 

[Intro]

I thought Chelsea were playing more of a square midfield that moves to be a diamond only when necessary.

Sheva was definitely frustrated yesterday, I thought if he just put the ball behind the net he will explode. One thing I disagree with Jose on was bringing Robben earlier. Had he done that, the countrer attacks Chelsea did would have been more dangerous and probably goals

Yes. I see two important problems with the diamond. The main one is Robben and the solution for him is to slot in for one of the strikers (which doesn't offer much hope for Kalou). The second is not so major but for me is: the exclusion of Joe Cole. This system would actually be the platform for him to show he is a true No.10 but it doesn't look like he'll be first choice when all players are fit.

I expect Mourinho to rotate freely in the EPL but to stick to the diamond in the CL. With players such as Ballack and Robben there are likely to be many injuries. But admire Mourinho for taking apart a successful side and completely re-arranging it. The 4-3-3 was never his system he adopted it due to the players he had at his disposal.

He identified the problems in Europe particularly and re-structured the team - taking players out of their comfort zone. This had a detrimental affect on the team at the start of the season (they still don't look as assured as the last two seasons). If he can capture this title after this adaptation it proves he is the most valuable coach in modern-day football.