The Football Thread - Page 1005

**Tmee2020** · February 21st, 2013, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footstep

Milan ac 2 0 Barca!!!But the first goal isn't clearly.An italian touches the ball with the hands.Everyone saw it except referees??? ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k3wfgh7I4I

Well, it goes like that sometimes. Barca hardly got a shot on goal. No wonder either, considering that dreadful strip they had to wear. For €1,000,000 I'm sure I could come up with something better than that.

**footstep** · February 21st, 2013, 10:51 AM

Barca is tired.Fed up having the ball in front of 11 back players...

**Roger Allott** · February 21st, 2013, 11:50 AM

Milan ought to be favourites to beat Barca now after their 2-0 win at home, and Man U ought to be favourites to get through against Real Madrid after their 1-1 draw at the Bernabéu, which would leave the last 8 of the CL lacking either of the Spanish giants!

Valencia also look unlikely to progress after losing their 1st leg at home to PSG, which would leave the sole remaining Spanish team as ..... Malaga. They only have a 1-0 deficit to overturn when they play their 2nd leg at Porto.

Who the fugg are Malaga????

Thankfully, the Arse are pretty much dead in the CL, which gets rid of the nightmare scenario of us finishing 4th again and Arse winning the CL. And sorry, but Celtic are never going to reverse the 3-0 against Juve. So Man U are the sole remaining hope for British clubs.

Germany looks like the place to be for CL action this year, with Bayern, Dortmund and Schalke all looking very firm favourites to progress into the last eight.

English clubs dominated the CL for about a decade - not necessarily in terms of outright wins but in terms of getting most entrants to a good finishing position. Then Spain (i.e. Barca & Real) took over for a while, but are we seeing the start of a shift to German dominance of European club competitions?

**victor meldrew** · February 21st, 2013, 12:04 PM

For me only Munich and Juventus would seem to be in the next round, barring complete disasters, the other six ties are still up for grabs.

Barcelona have enough quality to turn the tie around, although they might need extra time and it will be a tough ask.

Schalke should qualify, but don't right Galatasaray off.

Malaga v Porto, not sure how this will go as Porto will probably try and stfle mid field and Malaga have also lost some players in the transfer window.

PSG v Valencia, will be close, as Valencia missed chances at home, while PSG failed to capatilse on break outs. Valencia are good enough to win in Paris.

Man Utd v Real Madrid, totally unsure how this one will go, Madrid not in the best of form and have two games against Barcelona prior to the tie. Utd have games against QPR and Norwich and might be able to rest the major talent. Utd have had moments at home before in Europe and have gone out, when it would have be easier to progress.

Dortmund v Shakhtar, most seem to believe dortmund just have to turn up, I personally am not so sure as Shakhtar have enough quality to upset the apple cart.

Perhaps we wil see a shift to German dominance, but can they go the final yard as Munich have a habit of losing to English sides in the final, Leeds being the exception.

pariser80 · February 21st, 2013, 05:34 PM

@ Vic and Roger

Seems it will be a good year for German teams. But Schalke actually with problems in the national league only with caretaker coach. They are not safe vs Galatasaray. Of course Bayern and BVB are good. The best Bayern for many a long year.
But remember last year and look to Barcelona yesterday. The favourites don’t win all times.
That’s football, and that the reason we love football.

I don’t think the dominance in Champions league will change to Germany. BVB Dortmund has actually a fantastic young team, but I’m sure they will be gone down again. Only Bayern Munich will be permanent a European top team. At the end it’s a question of money. Bayern is the only club in Germany with a high financial budget, good enough to win the Champions league.
Maybe we will see a surprise team from East Europa the comings year.

**qwerty007** · February 21st, 2013, 06:56 PM

DEMBELE!!!

With a 25m screamer saves Spurs bacon in injury time and sends them through to the next round. 1-1 draw and and 2-1 win at White Hart Lane...

Whew! Close one for Spurs fans...

Newcastle are through as well after a 0-1 away win against Metalist Kharkiv. Goal from Ameobi!

**Roger Allott** · February 21st, 2013, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwerty007

DEMBELE!!!

With a 25m screamer saves Spurs bacon in injury time and sends them through to the next round. 1-1 draw and and 2-1 win at White Hart Lane...

It was a beautiful goal and I'm delighted we got through, but Lyon were impressively well organised and disciplined.

Odd that all three of our goals across both legs were scored in injury time (or so damn near it as to make no difference).

Sparta Prague have just scored at Chelski to level the tie overall. Chelski need Torres to find his boots, I think.

And Zenit have just scored at Anfield, meaning Liverpool now need to score four to qualify for the next round.

**qwerty007** · February 21st, 2013, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Allott

And Zenit have just scored at Anfield, meaning Liverpool now need to score four to qualify for the next round.

Whoops...they've got 3 back. All even on agg, but Zenit ahead on away goals. Where have we seen this before?

Great stuff for a neutral

**Greenman** · February 21st, 2013, 10:41 PM

So close, so effing bloody close to getting that one goal needed to go through against Zenit tonight-never a dull game in a Champions League/Europa League game with Liverpool - denied at least two good penalty shouts and Hulk should have been booked let alone Neto, and their goalkeeper deliberately stalled each time...absolutely gutted we're out-with very little chance of making the top four now-oh well start again next August!

**Roger Allott** · February 21st, 2013, 11:06 PM

England v Germany

In the battle for bragging rights (2nd class), we got some pride back this evening. There were 4 English clubs in the Europa League at the start of the evening and also 4 German clubs.

As it turned out, 3 of the English clubs (Spurs, Chelski, Neuchateau) got through and only 1 of the Germans (Stuttgart) is in the next round.

Oddly, after providing 3 of the semi-finalists in this competition last season (and both finalists), Spain had only 2 teams in this "Round of 32", and only 1 of them (Levante) goes through to the next after Athletico Madrid cocked up against Rubin Kazan.

February 21st, 2013, 11:50 AM	#10043
Roger Allott Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7,937 Thanks: 10,958 Thanked 155,897 Times in 8,000 Posts	Milan ought to be favourites to beat Barca now after their 2-0 win at home, and Man U ought to be favourites to get through against Real Madrid after their 1-1 draw at the Bernabéu, which would leave the last 8 of the CL lacking either of the Spanish giants! Valencia also look unlikely to progress after losing their 1st leg at home to PSG, which would leave the sole remaining Spanish team as ..... Malaga. They only have a 1-0 deficit to overturn when they play their 2nd leg at Porto. Who the fugg are Malaga???? Thankfully, the Arse are pretty much dead in the CL, which gets rid of the nightmare scenario of us finishing 4th again and Arse winning the CL. And sorry, but Celtic are never going to reverse the 3-0 against Juve. So Man U are the sole remaining hope for British clubs. Germany looks like the place to be for CL action this year, with Bayern, Dortmund and Schalke all looking very firm favourites to progress into the last eight. English clubs dominated the CL for about a decade - not necessarily in terms of outright wins but in terms of getting most entrants to a good finishing position. Then Spain (i.e. Barca & Real) took over for a while, but are we seeing the start of a shift to German dominance of European club competitions? __________________ *If you don't want your beliefs ridiculed, don't have ridiculous beliefs.*

February 21st, 2013, 12:04 PM	#10044
victor meldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: At the bottom of an empty glass Posts: 15,788 Thanks: 532,101 Thanked 180,374 Times in 15,776 Posts	For me only Munich and Juventus would seem to be in the next round, barring complete disasters, the other six ties are still up for grabs. Barcelona have enough quality to turn the tie around, although they might need extra time and it will be a tough ask. Schalke should qualify, but don't right Galatasaray off. Malaga v Porto, not sure how this will go as Porto will probably try and stfle mid field and Malaga have also lost some players in the transfer window. PSG v Valencia, will be close, as Valencia missed chances at home, while PSG failed to capatilse on break outs. Valencia are good enough to win in Paris. Man Utd v Real Madrid, totally unsure how this one will go, Madrid not in the best of form and have two games against Barcelona prior to the tie. Utd have games against QPR and Norwich and might be able to rest the major talent. Utd have had moments at home before in Europe and have gone out, when it would have be easier to progress. Dortmund v Shakhtar, most seem to believe dortmund just have to turn up, I personally am not so sure as Shakhtar have enough quality to upset the apple cart. Perhaps we wil see a shift to German dominance, but can they go the final yard as Munich have a habit of losing to English sides in the final, Leeds being the exception. Last edited by victor meldrew; February 21st, 2013 at 12:41 PM..

February 21st, 2013, 10:41 PM	#10049
Greenman Live Legend of VEF Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Underground lair somewhere in the world Posts: 20,353 Thanks: 30,936 Thanked 383,586 Times in 19,356 Posts	So close, so effing bloody close to getting that one goal needed to go through against Zenit tonight-never a dull game in a Champions League/Europa League game with Liverpool - denied at least two good penalty shouts and Hulk should have been booked let alone Neto, and their goalkeeper deliberately stalled each time...absolutely gutted we're out-with very little chance of making the top four now-oh well start again next August! __________________ There was only ONE Greenman, and you accepted no substitutes! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Rest in peace MaxJoker-you will be sorely missed. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 20,000: Milestone reached!

February 21st, 2013, 11:06 PM	#10050
Roger Allott Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7,937 Thanks: 10,958 Thanked 155,897 Times in 8,000 Posts	England v Germany In the battle for bragging rights (2nd class), we got some pride back this evening. There were 4 English clubs in the Europa League at the start of the evening and also 4 German clubs. As it turned out, 3 of the English clubs (Spurs, Chelski, Neuchateau) got through and only 1 of the Germans (Stuttgart) is in the next round. Oddly, after providing 3 of the semi-finalists in this competition last season (and both finalists), Spain had only 2 teams in this "Round of 32", and only 1 of them (Levante) goes through to the next after Athletico Madrid cocked up against Rubin Kazan. __________________ *If you don't want your beliefs ridiculed, don't have ridiculous beliefs.*

February 21st, 2013, 10:51 AM	#10042
footstep Lost luggages? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: France Posts: 7,268 Thanks: 92,097 Thanked 86,801 Times in 7,170 Posts	Barca is tired.Fed up having the ball in front of 11 back players...

February 21st, 2013, 05:34 PM	#10045
pariser80 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 399 Thanks: 2,369 Thanked 4,011 Times in 396 Posts	@ Vic and Roger Seems it will be a good year for German teams. But Schalke actually with problems in the national league only with caretaker coach. They are not safe vs Galatasaray. Of course Bayern and BVB are good. The best Bayern for many a long year. But remember last year and look to Barcelona yesterday. The favourites don’t win all times. That’s football, and that the reason we love football. I don’t think the dominance in Champions league will change to Germany. BVB Dortmund has actually a fantastic young team, but I’m sure they will be gone down again. Only Bayern Munich will be permanent a European top team. At the end it’s a question of money. Bayern is the only club in Germany with a high financial budget, good enough to win the Champions league. Maybe we will see a surprise team from East Europa the comings year.

February 21st, 2013, 06:56 PM	#10046
qwerty007 I got myself banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Q-Branch Posts: 4,571 Thanks: 21,949 Thanked 121,987 Times in 4,988 Posts	DEMBELE!!! With a 25m screamer saves Spurs bacon in injury time and sends them through to the next round. 1-1 draw and and 2-1 win at White Hart Lane... Whew! Close one for Spurs fans... Newcastle are through as well after a 0-1 away win against Metalist Kharkiv. Goal from Ameobi!