Champions League

Lots of big games today and tomorrow, get in the chat room

 

AC Milan Arsenal today. Big match. It is getting down to the big clubs.

 

Yuck. As if Arsenal fans weren't cocky enough already, now they're (I think) the first English team ever to win at the San Siro.

 

They are the first English team to ever beat AC Milan at the San Siro (IIRC, Inter was beaten there by someone).

The heartbreaker was the Sevilla game - 5-5 aggregate and the home side loses in penalties.

 

Oh man that Sevilla game, for some reason I always pull for the Turkish teams...I think its the names...

 

Talking about redemption, the Fenerbache goalie was going to find out what the inside of a Turkish prison was going to be like (for his sake I hope he hasn't seen the movie "Midnight Express"), after two of the worst howlers you'll ever see, then comes up huge in the pks.

Milan lost... :lol: Just kidding :lol: No really, I feel terrible :lol:

 

Yeah...its definately the Turkish names...Something about hearing an Brit say Fenerbache or Basiktas is so damn amusing.

 

Also, Brad Friedel (another Cleveland boy) played for Galatasaray, which I find fascinating

 

I was quite happy with the result of the Arsenal - Milan game. I still have an odd attachment to Arsenal when I was a blind yank picking one of the big four to support........... and I don't know why but I just hate AC Milan. Something about them just rubs me the wrong way.

 

Liverpool ousted Inter Milan today with a 1-0 win and 3-0 aggregate. Inter's coach also announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the year.

 

Inter looked confused. Mostly because Ibrahimovic would not pass the freakin' ball, even when his teammates were wide open in front of the net.

 

I haven't been around soccer for long but in the time that I have, Italian soccer confuses me...It seems as if the most important competition to them is the Champions League and they only compete domestically to qualify for the Champions League...am I wrong in thinking this???

 

Exhibit #1, "AC Milan".

I've actually watched more Serie A lately for some reason. It is actually really good soccer. All the clubs played with a certain confidence, but especially the best clubs. The Italian defenders are also freakishly good. But, perhaps the corruption, or even impression of corruption, makes the domestic league less tantalizing. Or, maybe Italians just expect to be the best in the world, club or country.

Everton has its hands full today with Fiorentina, who I like, but not necessarily as much as Sampdoria (Luigi likes the Ferrari--- and their bicycle racing style kits with an old fisherman on it).

 

I think Derek Rae said it best when they were showing the highlight of Ibrahimovic launched that left foot shot over the stadium - "That play gives you and idea of how Inter played today."

Torres is a great sniper - composure, accuracy, etc...

 

I don't think Jozy moves nearly as well as Torres without the ball. Hopefully that will come with time.

 

Don I don't think you're off base at all and Barry, I'm glad you mentioned time, because Jozy is America's first chance to have a true 'world class' player...same could be said about Adu, potentially Bradley, and possibly Edu...and that is very, very exciting.

However I am questioning that after Tuesday's OQ, we'll have to see if they can prove me right on Thursday. Hopefully they'll all eventually get some significant Champions League playing time in the near future.

 

CL quarter and semifinals draw are out:

Quarters
Arsenal vs Liverpool
Roma vs Man Yoo
Schalke vs Barcelona
Fenerbahce vs CSKA London

Semis
Arse/Liv vs Fener/CSKA-L
Schalke/Barca vs Roma/ManYoo

 

My WAGs:

Semis
Arsenal v Blue Poo
Baraca v Man U

Finals
Arsenal v Man U

Champion
Man U