Soccer/Football, The Beautiful Game

[Murat Baslamisli]

Groups are out in the Champions League. Lots of tough match -ups.


GROUP A


Man. UnitedMan. United(ENG)
Shakhtar DonetskShakhtar Donetsk(UKR)
LeverkusenLeverkusen(GER)
Real SociedadReal Sociedad(ESP)

GROUP B


Real MadridReal Madrid(ESP)
JuventusJuventus(ITA)
GalatasarayGalatasaray(TUR)
KøbenhavnKøbenhavn(DEN)


GROUP C

BenficaBenfica(POR)
PSGPSG(FRA)
OlympiacosOlympiacos(GRE)
AnderlechtAnderlecht(BEL)


GROUP D

BayernBayern(GER)
CSKA MoskvaCSKA Moskva(RUS)
Man. CityMan. City(ENG)
PlzeňPlzeň(CZE)
GROUP E
ChelseaChelsea(ENG)
SchalkeSchalke(GER)
BaselBasel(SUI)
SteauaSteaua(ROU)


GROUP F

ArsenalArsenal(ENG)
MarseilleMarseille(FRA)
DortmundDortmund(GER)
NapoliNapoli(ITA)


GROUP G

PortoPorto(POR)
AtléticoAtlético(ESP)
ZenitZenit(RUS)
Austria WienAustria Wien(AUT)


GROUP H

BarcelonaBarcelona(ESP)
MilanMilan(ITA)
AjaxAjax(NED)
CelticCeltic(SCO)

 

[britbox]

D,F & H look took tough assignments. Celtic may as well call in sick.

 

[brokenshoelace]

The criteria needs serious looking into when Porto, Benfica and even Arsenal are seeded in pot A but Milan and Juventus are in pot B. I'm sorry, but as the Italian champions, one of the best teams in Europe and a team that made the QF last year (only losing to eventual champions Bayern), it is ludicrous for Juve to be seeded in pot B. As a result, they've ended up in Real Madrid's group, will likely finish second, and all of a sudden their chances of going deep in the tournament decrease.

 

[Iona16]

The criteria needs serious looking into when Porto, Benfica and even Arsenal are seeded in pot A but Milan and Juventus are in pot B. I'm sorry, but as the Italian champions, one of the best teams in Europe and a team that made the QF last year (only losing to eventual champions Bayern), it is ludicrous for Juve to be seeded in pot B. As a result, they've ended up in Real Madrid's group, will likely finish second, and all of a sudden their chances of going deep in the tournament decrease.

I agree that Juve should never have been in pot B but I think they can top their group. Are you a Juve fan Broken?

I can't believe Barca and AC Milan are in the same group again.

 

[brokenshoelace]

The criteria needs serious looking into when Porto, Benfica and even Arsenal are seeded in pot A but Milan and Juventus are in pot B. I'm sorry, but as the Italian champions, one of the best teams in Europe and a team that made the QF last year (only losing to eventual champions Bayern), it is ludicrous for Juve to be seeded in pot B. As a result, they've ended up in Real Madrid's group, will likely finish second, and all of a sudden their chances of going deep in the tournament decrease.

I agree that Juve should never have been in pot B but I think they can top their group. Are you a Juve fan Broken?

I can't believe Barca and AC Milan are in the same group again.

Yeah, Juventus have been my passion since I was 5. Supported them from the days of Baggio, going through Del Piero (my favorite of all time), Zidane, Nedved, and even the dark Serie B era.

I hope you're right about them topping the group, but I think Madrid just have too much offensive weaponry, especially should they sign Bale. Great pace and counter attacks seem to be Juventus' kryptonite (their defense is great and well organized, but struggle to keep up at times).

As far as Milan and Barca goes, I'm tired of watching that match. They've played 4 times two seasons ago (twice in the first round, twice in the quarter finals), and twice last season in the second round. Now just wait till Barca get Chelsea in the knockout stages again.

 

[EnriqueIG8]

Hi Enrique,Barca & Chelsea have had some amazing matches in the past with Jose Mourinho @ the helm.Would this be why your not keen on Chelsea?I think Barca is a wonderfull team to watch.I wonder if we will meet in the C/L this year,this could be written in the stars.

Hi Sid. Yeah I agree! Those matches were really tense, and I must admit that the one they had when Iniesta scored the goal in the 95th minute they stole that match. Chelsea should have had multiple penalties that match but yeah that's football.

I don't like negative defensive football, and Chelsea (maybe now they have amazing attackers they create a better playing style) always play soooo negative. When they won the CL, it was an atrocity. "Parking the bus" infront of the goal like almost no team does. I don't like it.

You know, I have not always disliked Chelsea. When they had di Matteo, Zola, Vialli etc. I kinda liked them but when Abramovic took over I didn't really like them anymore. Same thing I explained why I think teams like PSG aren't my favourites anymore. it's not that Barça doesn't spent any money but at least with us the main focus is on the Cantera, La Masia

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

My guys (Galatasaray) got Real Madrid again...well last year it was the quarters of the CL and we beat them 3-2, they beat us 3-0 and that was all she wrote...If we can get a home win again, that would be a solid 3 points...but then there is Juve. I thing Real and Juve are likely to advance from that group but one can dream...

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

The criteria needs serious looking into when Porto, Benfica and even Arsenal are seeded in pot A but Milan and Juventus are in pot B. I'm sorry, but as the Italian champions, one of the best teams in Europe and a team that made the QF last year (only losing to eventual champions Bayern), it is ludicrous for Juve to be seeded in pot B. As a result, they've ended up in Real Madrid's group, will likely finish second, and all of a sudden their chances of going deep in the tournament decrease.

Serie a isn't rated a top league because of the bribery scandal and the points deduction and relegation for juventus..

no one elses fault..did Italy have the number of automatic ch lg places reduced because the leagues rating v the other leagues went down ??..something like that is it ??.

anyway be happy they didn't get a longer European ban..Italy has enough problems with racism and hooliganism/far right wing ultra fan groups..never mind the match fix/bribes of a few years ago.

 

[brokenshoelace]

The criteria needs serious looking into when Porto, Benfica and even Arsenal are seeded in pot A but Milan and Juventus are in pot B. I'm sorry, but as the Italian champions, one of the best teams in Europe and a team that made the QF last year (only losing to eventual champions Bayern), it is ludicrous for Juve to be seeded in pot B. As a result, they've ended up in Real Madrid's group, will likely finish second, and all of a sudden their chances of going deep in the tournament decrease.

Serie a isn't rated a top league because of the bribery scandal and the points deduction and relegation for juventus..

no one elses fault..did Italy have the number of automatic ch lg places reduced because the leagues rating v the other leagues went down ??..something like that is it ??.

anyway be happy they didn't get a longer European ban..Italy has enough problems with racism and hooliganism/far right wing ultra fan groups..never mind the match fix/bribes of a few years ago.

Serie A was still rated a top league (according to the criteria) for about 5 years after the scandal, but yes, they did have the number of teams that qualify to the CL reduced from 4 to 3.

I still don't think any argument can be convincing when both Porto and Benfica are seeded in pot A.

 

[EnriqueIG8]

Bale officially the most expensive player of alltime now,

€101 million, ridiculous amount for a player like him.



Watching Barça against Los Ché now. Hat-trick Messi put us at 0-3, and then Postiga scored twice in 1 minute :huh:

we badly need new defenders

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

I watched Valencia v Barcelona too..neymar and messi have clicked already.

messi has 5 league goals in his 2 matches in la liga

 

[Iona16]

The criteria needs serious looking into when Porto, Benfica and even Arsenal are seeded in pot A but Milan and Juventus are in pot B. I'm sorry, but as the Italian champions, one of the best teams in Europe and a team that made the QF last year (only losing to eventual champions Bayern), it is ludicrous for Juve to be seeded in pot B. As a result, they've ended up in Real Madrid's group, will likely finish second, and all of a sudden their chances of going deep in the tournament decrease.

I agree that Juve should never have been in pot B but I think they can top their group. Are you a Juve fan Broken?

I can't believe Barca and AC Milan are in the same group again.

Yeah, Juventus have been my passion since I was 5. Supported them from the days of Baggio, going through Del Piero (my favorite of all time), Zidane, Nedved, and even the dark Serie B era.

I hope you're right about them topping the group, but I think Madrid just have too much offensive weaponry, especially should they sign Bale. Great pace and counter attacks seem to be Juventus' kryptonite (their defense is great and well organized, but struggle to keep up at times).

As far as Milan and Barca goes, I'm tired of watching that match. They've played 4 times two seasons ago (twice in the first round, twice in the quarter finals), and twice last season in the second round. Now just wait till Barca get Chelsea in the knockout stages again.

I don't know much about the Baggio days but I love Del Piero. I was lucky enough to see him once in Glasgow when Scotland played Italy and twice in Turin. It should have been 3 times in Turin but Pope John Paul II died the week before one of my trips and all the serie A games were cancelled.

What an absolute privilege it was to see Alex play. An absolute gent on and off the pitch. I remember when Juve were demoted he was asked if he would seek a transfer and he said "A true gentlemen never leaves his lady". I thought it was admirable that he was stood by his beloved 'old lady' and helped get her back to serie A. Far too many deserted the team. I remember watching on TV when he received a standing ovation at the Bernabeu and Old Trafford. At one point I did want him to leave Juve because I thought he was treated appallingly by Capello. His constant favouring of Ibrahimovic over Del Piero. That was tough to watch.

What do you think of Tevez getting the #10 shirt? I know Bendtner had asked for it last year - what a nerve. I don't think the shirt should have been retired but Tevez isn't fit to wash the shirt let alone wear it. Talk about a mercenary in a legend's shoes. Del Piero is a man of humility and loyalty. Tevez is not.

I think we're all bored with the Barca v AC Milan matches. I've also had enough of Mourinho. I don't want to see any Barca v Chelsea matches.

 

[Iona16]

Bale officially the most expensive player of alltime now,

€101 million, ridiculous amount for a player like him.

Watching Barça against Los Ché now. Hat-trick Messi put us at 0-3, and then Postiga scored twice in 1 minute :huh:

we badly need new defenders

I give Ronaldo one more year in Madrid. I don't think he'll like the new boy. In all honesty I think the fee for Bale is obscene.

It looks as though Barca are prepared to keep their makeshift back 4 for the moment. We have no Abidal and Puyol still isn't fully fit. Not sure just how much he'll play this year. I'm getting a bit sick of it now. We're weak at the back and the players we do have at the back are out of position. We'll get punished this season, especially in the Champions League.

 

[britbox]

Perfect start for Liverpool and beating the Mancs is always a pleasure.

 

[brokenshoelace]

The criteria needs serious looking into when Porto, Benfica and even Arsenal are seeded in pot A but Milan and Juventus are in pot B. I'm sorry, but as the Italian champions, one of the best teams in Europe and a team that made the QF last year (only losing to eventual champions Bayern), it is ludicrous for Juve to be seeded in pot B. As a result, they've ended up in Real Madrid's group, will likely finish second, and all of a sudden their chances of going deep in the tournament decrease.

I agree that Juve should never have been in pot B but I think they can top their group. Are you a Juve fan Broken?

I can't believe Barca and AC Milan are in the same group again.

Yeah, Juventus have been my passion since I was 5. Supported them from the days of Baggio, going through Del Piero (my favorite of all time), Zidane, Nedved, and even the dark Serie B era.

I hope you're right about them topping the group, but I think Madrid just have too much offensive weaponry, especially should they sign Bale. Great pace and counter attacks seem to be Juventus' kryptonite (their defense is great and well organized, but struggle to keep up at times).

As far as Milan and Barca goes, I'm tired of watching that match. They've played 4 times two seasons ago (twice in the first round, twice in the quarter finals), and twice last season in the second round. Now just wait till Barca get Chelsea in the knockout stages again.

I don't know much about the Baggio days but I love Del Piero. I was lucky enough to see him once in Glasgow when Scotland played Italy and twice in Turin. It should have been 3 times in Turin but Pope John Paul II died the week before one of my trips and all the serie A games were cancelled.

What an absolute privilege it was to see Alex play. An absolute gent on and off the pitch. I remember when Juve were demoted he was asked if he would seek a transfer and he said "A true gentlemen never leaves his lady". I thought it was admirable that he was stood by his beloved 'old lady' and helped get her back to serie A. Far too many deserted the team. I remember watching on TV when he received a standing ovation at the Bernabeu and Old Trafford. At one point I did want him to leave Juve because I thought he was treated appallingly by Capello. His constant favouring of Ibrahimovic over Del Piero. That was tough to watch.

What do you think of Tevez getting the #10 shirt? I know Bendtner had asked for it last year - what a nerve. I don't think the shirt should have been retired but Tevez isn't fit to wash the shirt let alone wear it. Talk about a mercenary in a legend's shoes. Del Piero is a man of humility and loyalty. Tevez is not.

I think we're all bored with the Barca v AC Milan matches. I've also had enough of Mourinho. I don't want to see any Barca v Chelsea matches.

Del Piero's Juve farewell last year is one of my favorite sporting moments of all time, as sad as it was. If you haven't seen the match check it out on Youtube. Fittingly, he scored in that match too.

I'm happy they signed Tevez since they need a quality striker but I can't take him seriously in that number 10 shirt. I don't think they should have retired it but at it should have at least been put "on hold" for a while until the right man comes along.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Barca letting Abidal go is a silly decision since Puyol is almost a part time player now, and they absolutely have no back-up in defense (not to mention, Mascherano is a defensive midfielder operating as a central defender).

 

[MashaFan]

The soccer World Championship in Brazil from June 12 until July 13 2014 is getting closer - I haven't seen any mention of this event here - In Oct 15 nine European countries qualified for Brazil as the group winners of the qualification round 1:

Group A: Belgium
Group B: Italy
Group C: Germany
Group D: The Netherlands
Group E: Switzerland
Group F: Russia
Group G: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Group H: England
Group I: Spain

Four countries still have the chance to make it after a play off which are played on Nov 15 and Nov 19 between the following countries:

Iceland and Croatia
Portugal and Sweden
Ukraine and France
Greece and Romania

 

[MashaFan]

deleted double post

 

[MashaFan]

All the 32 qualifiers for the Soccer World Championship in Brazil 2014

Europe
Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Switzerland

South America
Argentina, Brazil (host), Chile, Colombia, Uruguay

Africa
Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria

Asia
Australia, Iran, Japan, South Korea

North America
Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, United States

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

anyone see Sweden vs Portugal wc playoff 2nd leg ??..

Ronaldo really wanted to play in the 2014 world cup finals..he was 'up for it' as they say.

fifa extended voting for world player of the year, so Ronnie will win now, messi was ahead of him but his injury allowed Ronnie to really shine with his goal spree this season..

messi has won 4 'Balloon Doors'..so its only fair he lets someone else win this year.