[EU] Champions League 2008/2009 (50 Viewers)

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Enron

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Oct 11, 2005
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Juve Rev, If a team wins their league they deserve to play in the Champions League.

The system of qualification rounds is already designed to ensure only one or two lesser team make it into the group stage.

It is a good thing that some smaller teams get into the CL now and again because it spreads the wealth. If only the best got in, the gap between the rich few clubs and the rest would just continue to grow and that would be bad for football.

I take the opposite view from yourself, I would like to see the CL go back to closer to the old European Cup format. More knockout football and only the top one or two teams from each country getting in.
I agree if a team makes it through qualifying then they absolutely deserve to play in the group stage.

I hear everyone whining about Basel, but what about Celtic, OM, and PSV? They have been terrible in the CL this year. Should they be banned as well?

Then you have CLUJ or whatever who probably have the upset of the tournament. Add in Shaktar's performance last matchday and the little teams have represented themselves quite well.
 

Red

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Nov 26, 2006
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Thank you Martin.
:D




Well, yes, there are always exceptions. However, that's not the point I was aiming for. What I mean is that teams that have no chance in the compeition, teams that don't have the players to trouble the big teams should have no part in the C.L.

Just answer this; would or wouldn't the C.L be stronger with likes of Milan and Man City?
More glamorous perhaps, but not necessarily stronger.

What you are speaking about is getting dangerously close to suggesting that a bunch of the 'top' teams from across Europe break away from their domestic leagues and just form a European Super League.
 
Jun 13, 2007
7,233
More glamorous perhaps, but not necessarily stronger.

What you are speaking about is getting dangerously close to suggesting that a bunch of the 'top' teams from across Europe break away from their domestic leagues and just form a European Super League.
That would be brilliant in my opinion. Imagine watching a league where every tie is entertaining, excting, and top class. I mean seriously, would you rather watch Barca- Milan, or Barca -Basel? If you aren't a Barcelona fan, I doubt you will be attracted to watch the latter. However, if you were a neutral you would undoubtedly want to watch much more interesting ties such as Real Madrid - Man City, or Milan - Barcelona. But because of the way things are, we will miss those encounters dearly.
 

Enron

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Oct 11, 2005
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Enron, no one said anything about banning. If they are better than Milan or Man City then they can play. If they aren't, then no.
Wait, so the litmus test is whether they are better than Man City or Milan? That's silly because Milan was bad last season.

If anything this idea would widen the gap between wealthy clubs and poor clubs in Europe. That's the last thing we should want to do.

This is surprising coming from a Serie A fan. The EPL would most definitely reap the most benefits from a "Super League". Leagues from Italy, France, and Holland would probably suffer the most if such a thing were to happen.
 

Enron

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Oct 11, 2005
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More glamorous perhaps, but not necessarily stronger.

What you are speaking about is getting dangerously close to suggesting that a bunch of the 'top' teams from across Europe break away from their domestic leagues and just form a European Super League.
Also when you consider the effect this would have on the smaller leagues. Many of the small league teams are only able to get players because of the opportunity of CL competition. In addition many of those teams really need the finances gained from the competition.
 
Jun 13, 2007
7,233
Wait, so the litmus test is whether they are better than Man City or Milan? That's silly because Milan was bad last season.

If anything this idea would widen the gap between wealthy clubs and poor clubs in Europe. That's the last thing we should want to do.

This is surprising coming from a Serie A fan. The EPL would most definitely reap the most benefits from a "Super League". Leagues from Italy, France, and Holland would probably suffer the most if such a thing were to happen.
The litmus test if facing the top 6 sides from the top three leagues in Europe.

It would widen the gap, but it would make it much more entertaining for us fans. I don't know about you, but I could care less whether a team from Belarus gets a chance at the C.L or not. In any case, do you really think that the system we have now is effectively bridging the gap? You think Basel is now a much ftronger club because of the C.L or they may potentially get better because of the measley amounts of money they are getting.

We aren't talking about draft picks here, we're talking about a few million Euros. I hardly think that's going to make much difference.

I disagree. As a serie A fan, I think the top 6 in Italy will fair up pretty well. A lot better than the rest. Perhaps England will serve as the strongest competition.
 

Martin

Senior Member
Dec 31, 2000
56,913
When you come to think of it, the same could be said about Juve ;)
Nope. If you look back on how many times Juve have participated in the CL as #3 or #4 in the league you get a very interesting number. Once, this year. In the case of liverpool, every year. In the case of Arsenal, ever since Chelsea got Abramovich.
 

Red

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Nov 26, 2006
47,024
That would be brilliant in my opinion. Imagine watching a league where every tie is entertaining, excting, and top class. I mean seriously, would you rather watch Barca- Milan, or Barca -Basel? If you aren't a Barcelona fan, I doubt you will be attracted to watch the latter. However, if you were a neutral you would undoubtedly want to watch much more interesting ties such as Real Madrid - Man City, or Milan - Barcelona. But because of the way things are, we will miss those encounters dearly.
Also when you consider the effect this would have on the smaller leagues. Many of the small league teams are only able to get players because of the opportunity of CL competition. In addition many of those teams really need the finances gained from the competition.
What he said.

The CL at least has the potential for a team to break into it. A European Super League would be disasterous for almost everyone except the top 20 or so teams and that it why it will never happen.

When I think about the best teams missing out on the C.L, Man city and Milan are the first two teams that pop up.:D
Man City aren't even the 5th best team in England right now. Aston Villa are better than them.
 

Enron

Tickle Me
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Oct 11, 2005
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The litmus test if facing the top 6 sides from the top three leagues in Europe.

It would widen the gap, but it would make it much more entertaining for us fans. I don't know about you, but I could care less whether a team from Belarus gets a chance at the C.L or not. In any case, do you really think that the system we have now is effectively bridging the gap? You think Basel is now a much ftronger club because of the C.L or they may potentially get better because of the measley amounts of money they are getting.

We aren't talking about draft picks here, we're talking about a few million Euros. I hardly think that's going to make much difference.

I disagree. As a serie A fan, I think the top 6 in Italy will fair up pretty well. A lot better than the rest. Perhaps England will serve as the strongest competition.
Another thing you have to take into consideration is the result such a league would have on the UEFA Cup. The UEFA Cup is hardly worth anything right now, but imagine if it lost it's big league teams. It would cease to exist as a cup.

Really, I think Andy's example of a top 2 league is the best way to go. Not only does it add prestige to the competition by making it the best 2 teams in every league, but the UEFA Cup would also see a boost in competition and money.
 

Enron

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Oct 11, 2005
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What he said.

The CL at least has the potential for a team to break into it. A European Super League would be disasterous for almost everyone except the top 20 or so teams and that it why it will never happen.



Man City aren't even the 5th best team in England right now. Aston Villa are better than them.
Don't forget about Hull.:D
 

Red

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Nov 26, 2006
47,024
Don't forget about Hull.:D
Teams like Hull in the Premiership or BATE in the CL is what makes football great.

Watching wee teams fucking over giants. It would be boring to endlessly watch massive teams playing each other.

How often when big teams play each other is it actually a good game? Almost never because the stakes are so high that both teams are more intent on not losing the game than trying to win the game.
 
Jun 13, 2007
7,233
Another thing you have to take into consideration is the result such a league would have on the UEFA Cup. The UEFA Cup is hardly worth anything right now, but imagine if it lost it's big league teams. It would cease to exist as a cup.

Really, I think Andy's example of a top 2 league is the best way to go. Not only does it add prestige to the competition by making it the best 2 teams in every league, but the UEFA Cup would also see a boost in competition and money.
This would add value to the European Cup but it would detract value from the UEFA champions League. Look at who wins the Champions league anyway, Teams like Milan and Liverpool have been excellent in the C.L yet they finish 3rd and 4th in the league. Is it fair for them to play in UEFA?
 

Enron

Tickle Me
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Oct 11, 2005
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This would add value to the European Cup but it would detract value from the UEFA champions League. Look at who wins the Champions league anyway, Teams like Milan and Liverpool have been excellent in the C.L yet they finish 3rd and 4th in the league. Is it fair for them to play in UEFA?
Sure if they don't finish high enough in their league. Here's a question for you.
Did last year's Milan team deserve a spot in the CL this year?
 
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