UEFA Champions League

[George70]

Over the past few months, I have been noticing the UEFA Champions League soccer results from Europe, and I was wondering if anyone else here notices the League.

My faves in this season's competition are Barcelona and Inter Milan; both of these sides look rather impressive.

I welcome your comments and responses in this regard.

[sliceanddic3]

Messi scored 4 goals in Barcelonas last game, thats insane!!! There my favs to win.

[George70]

[quote name='sliceanddic3' date='06 April 2010 - 06:26 PM' timestamp='1270596392' post='387514']
Messi scored 4 goals in Barcelonas last game, thats insane!!! There my favs to win.
[/quote]

Yeah, Lionel Messi is looking like a superstar, friend.

Barcelona has Inter Milan coming up in the semi-finals. Should be interesting.

[Ed_Reed20]

Arsenal got knocked out in spectacular fashion. I'm pissed but with all the injuries and suspensions they've had to deal with, I guess it wasn't their year.

Barca have to be the favorites to win with Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Toure, Keita and Co.

[ravens__]

Barca absolutely dominated Arsenal during both legs and that's coming from a huge Arsenal fan.
Whoever gets through the matchup between Barca and Inter will win the title. Hands down.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravens__' date='11 April 2010 - 02:36 PM' timestamp='1271011015' post='389528']
Barca absolutely dominated Arsenal during both legs and that's coming from a huge Arsenal fan.
[/quote]

Good to know there's another Arsenal fan on the forums.

[FerrariFan87]

Messi is unstoppable... something tells me that Barcelona is going all the way.

[George70]

[quote name='ravens__' date='11 April 2010 - 01:36 PM' timestamp='1271011015' post='389528']
Barca absolutely dominated Arsenal during both legs and that's coming from a huge Arsenal fan.
Whoever gets through the matchup between Barca and Inter will win the title. Hands down.
[/quote]

I have to agree with you on this - the winner of the semi-final between Barcelona and Inter Milan will win this season's Champions League.

The way Barcelona have been playing - especially as of late - gives me reason to believe that the team from Catalan will win this year's trophy and make it two in a row.

[Ozzsome]

barca gonna win this year hands down, they dominated arsenal in a fashion thats just great, i love arsenal london but barca is just on a whole other level, the biggest suprise for me is bayern munich who beat man united in the quaterfinals

[George70]

I feel awful that Barcelona have lost in the Champions League semis to Inter Milan, however, I will give the benefit of the doubt; Inter had, at one point, been playing with ten men on the field, and their 3-1 win in the first leg of the semis was just too much for Barca.

So, the final is now set - Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan, on May 22nd. From what I understand, Fox Sports is set to televise the final. I will be looking forward to it with baited breath.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='George70' date='30 April 2010 - 11:07 AM' timestamp='1272640020' post='402639']
I feel awful that Barcelona have lost in the Champions League semis to Inter Milan, however, I will give the benefit of the doubt; Inter had, at one point, been playing with ten men on the field, and their 3-1 win in the first leg of the semis was just too much for Barca.

So, the final is now set - Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan, on May 22nd. From what I understand, Fox Sports is set to televise the final. I will be looking forward to it with baited breath.
[/quote]

I'll be surprised if Inter don't take home the title. Bayern relies on Ribery far too much and he isn't always on his game. Inter has more world-class players all over the field.

[AZravensfan]

Cant believe I never saw this thread! Inter will probably win, they appear to be more talented all over the field. That said, I am cheering for Bayern Munich! They have 3 of my boys on there squad, two of them playing top form. Lahm and Schweinsteiger play for my second favorite international team so I will be cheering them on . Good luck to all the Inter fans out there.

[kawakurt]

As a German I am of course for bayern. But this is only valid for the champions league. in the federal league, I'm for Eintracht Frankfurt...

[AZravensfan]

[quote name='kawakurt' date='01 May 2010 - 10:10 AM' timestamp='1272733822' post='403127']
As a German I am of course for bayern. But this is only valid for the champions league. in the federal league, I'm for Eintracht Frankfurt...
[/quote]

Bayern is definitely the underdog but hopefully we can pull it off .

[ravens__]

It's one of the few seasons I'm not really looking forward to the final.
Both Bayern and Inter are top caliber teams, don't get me wrong. But they haven't showed anything the last four-five years in the Champions League so it comes as a surprise to me to have that pair in the final.

My money is on Inter because of the depth they have and the experience of Mourinho.
Now if Robben manages to pull another stunt and wins the game on his own, I won't be too surprised either.

We shall see on the 22nd what happens..

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravens__' date='01 May 2010 - 07:44 PM' timestamp='1272757446' post='403235']
[b]It's one of the few seasons I'm not really looking forward to the final.[/b]
Both Bayern and Inter are top caliber teams, don't get me wrong. But they haven't showed anything the last four-five years in the Champions League so it comes as a surprise to me to have that pair in the final.

My money is on Inter because of the depth they have and the experience of Mourinho.
Now if Robben manages to pull another stunt and wins the game on his own, I won't be too surprised either.

We shall see on the 22nd what happens..
[/quote]

Really? Bayern, as a team, doesn't excite me but if they come out hungry, they could challenge Inter in a major way, despite the difference in talent.

[ravens__]

It's not like it won't be a challenging final, it's just that I don't have a sympathy for either side.
My first wish was for Arsenal to reach the final; not granted. My second wish was to see Barca against a major side in the final; not granted either.

At least it is worse in the UEFA Europa League.. lol
Final between Fulham (13th in the English Premier League) and Atletico Madrid (10th in the Spanish Primera Division)

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravens__' date='01 May 2010 - 09:06 PM' timestamp='1272762367' post='403255']
It's not like it won't be a challenging final, it's just that I don't have a sympathy for either side.
My first wish was for Arsenal to reach the final; not granted. My second wish was to see Barca against a major side in the final; not granted either.

At least it is worse in the UEFA Europa League.. lol
Final between Fulham (13th in the English Premier League) and Atletico Madrid (10th in the Spanish Primera Division)
[/quote]

I hear you. As an Arsenal fan, I'm going to have a little troubling watching the final knowing my team could compete with either Bayern or Inter. Oh well...

The only people who care about the Europa League are the teams taking part in it. I heard a radio host compare it to the NIT today and laughed.

[ravens__]

Don't get me started on Arsenal... lol
As much as I love Wenger and all, it's high time we start investing money for players.
We simply can't compete with the likes of United and Chelsea.

As for the Europa League, I agree with you but imagine how big of a competition it is for a mediocre team in the UK like Fulham and a team labeled as a loser team in Spain like Atletico Madrid. Additionally, the financial side of the competition is important for such teams with all the money they receive from TV coverage.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravens__' date='01 May 2010 - 09:29 PM' timestamp='1272763781' post='403269']
Don't get me started on Arsenal... lol
As much as I love Wenger and all, it's high time we start investing money for players.
We simply can't compete with the likes of United and Chelsea.

As for the Europa League, I agree with you but imagine how big of a competition it is for a mediocre team in the UK like Fulham and a team labeled as a loser team in Spain like Atletico Madrid. Additionally, the financial side of the competition is important for such teams with all the money they receive from TV coverage.
[/quote]

Agreed.

I can't believe the amount of quality talent that has been linked to Arsenal the past four or five transfer periods only for the team not to pursue them. Blaise Matuidi, Sebastien Bassong, Felipe Melo, Marouane Chamakh, the list goes on.

No one is saying Wenger should go hog-wild but there should be enough proven talent on the team that a few injuries don't leave them searching for answers.

I'm sure Fulham and Athletico's fans are going crazy with excitement. You're right about the money that the clubs will receive too. A tournament like the Europa competition could open the door for some relatively good signings.

[ravens__]

You are right.

It's so frustrating going into every transfer window hearing rumours about top quality talents coming to the Emirates only to have them denied days later by Mr. Wenger.
It is thought that we have signed Chamakh for the summer or at least that's what Bordeaux's chairman claims. That will make a good transfer but I still believe we need some experience over prospects to make a run and actually achieve something.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravens__' date='01 May 2010 - 10:39 PM' timestamp='1272767989' post='403300']
You are right.

It's so frustrating going into every transfer window hearing rumours about top quality talents coming to the Emirates only to have them denied days later by Mr. Wenger.
It is thought that we have signed Chamakh for the summer or at least that's what Bordeaux's chairman claims. That will make a good transfer but I still believe we need some experience over prospects to make a run and actually achieve something.
[/quote]

Definitely. We'll see how Chamakh does in the Premiership but like you said, some major moves need to be made.

Even though they should have done it last summer, I hope they sign this man: http://www.footballitaliano.org/9152/arsenal-to-present-juventus-with-offer-for-felipe-melo.html

[ravens__]

Last summer, when Melo's name was mentioned for Arsenal, I was all for that transfer to go through. Eventually, he got to Juve where he didn't play by his standards and was criticized a lot. I'm not sure if he's the man we are looking for but then again, I would welcome a move for him.

[George70]

Apparently, for some - such as myself - the 22nd of May can't get here soon enough.

Fortunately, I've seen where Tottenham Hotspur has qualified for next year's Champions League, so that should be good.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravens__' date='02 May 2010 - 07:35 AM' timestamp='1272800157' post='403321']
Last summer, when Melo's name was mentioned for Arsenal, I was all for that transfer to go through. Eventually, he got to Juve where he didn't play by his standards and was criticized a lot. I'm not sure if he's the man we are looking for but then again, I would welcome a move for him.
[/quote]

Good point about him not playing well but there's a chance he could succeed playing a different style of football in England.

[George70]

It is my understanding that the Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan will be on Fox on Saturday, May 22nd.

I shall be watching to see if this happens, and should it come to pass, then a beatiful example of the beautiful game should make for some compelling viewing.

[kawakurt]

the game starts. for today I am bayern fan

[ravens__]

Game over.

Inter won the match fair and square just as I had expected.
Milito becomes a hero with his double and Inter is coming to Baltimore as the european champion to play against Manchester City.

Good stuff.

[George70]

[quote name='ravens__' date='22 May 2010 - 03:43 PM' timestamp='1274561010' post='413159']
Game over.

Inter won the match fair and square just as I had expected.
Milito becomes a hero with his double and Inter is coming to Baltimore as the european champion to play against Manchester City.

Good stuff.
[/quote]

I agree whole heartedly with you, my friend. The match was a beautiful show of good, solid football, as Inter and Bayern played their hearts out.

As it turned out, the match would go to Inter, winning their first Champions League final since 1965.

I believe that this was very good today.

[kawakurt]

it was a good game. the better have won