UEFA Champions League Thread

[vtec]

these are the results of today's champions' league draw:

2007/08 UEFA Champions League group stage

Group A --------------------------------Group B
Liverfekkin'wankscum FC (ENG) ------------------- Chelsea FC (ENG)
FC Porto (POR) ------------------------Valencia CF (ESP)
Olympique de Marseille (FRA) ------- FC Schalke 04 (GER)
Be?ikta? JK (TUR) ---------------------Rosenborg BK (NOR)
Group C --------------------------------Group D
Real Madrid CF (ESP) -----------------AC Milan (ITA, holders)
Werder Bremen (GER) --------------- SL Benfica (POR)
S.S. Lazio (ITA) -----------------------Celtic FC (SCO)
Olympiacos CFP (GRE) --------------- FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
Group E -------------------------------- Group F
FC Barcelona (ESP) --------------------Manchester United FC (ENG)
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) ------------AS Roma (ITA)
VfB Stuttgart (GER) --------------------Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR)
Rangers FC (SCO) ---------------------FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)
Group G --------------------------------Group H
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) ------Arsenal FC (ENG)
PSV Eindhoven (NED) -----------------Sevilla FC (ESP) / AEK Athens FC(GRE)
PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)------------- FC Steaua Bucure?ti (ROU)
Fenerbahçe SK (TUR) -----------------SK Slavia Praha (CZE)



©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

[vtec]

teams to advance:

A: Liverfekkin'wankscum, porto
B: chelsea, valencia
C: real madrid, lazio
D: milan, benfica
E: barcelona, lyon
F: roma, manutd
G: inter, psv
H: sevilla, arsenal

[Lombardiamia]

[vtec]

[vtec]

[vtec]

[vtec]

[vtec]

[vtec]

CL Draw: Mixed Response From Inter

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini and captain Javier Zanetti gave their reactions on the Champions League draw which saw the club drawn with PSV Eindhoven, CSKA Moscow, and Fenerbahce.

Italian champions Inter Milan have been drawn alongside PSV Eindhoven, Fenerbahce, and CSKA Moscow in group G of the Champions League.

It seems like a very acceptable draw, but reactions from the Inter camp were traditionally diplomatic and cautious.

"It's difficult, as always," [whined] coach Roberto Mancini. "When you are participating in an important competition like the Champions League, it's difficult to make a list of preferred opponents.

"All opponents, at this level, are important and difficult to face. The same goes for the teams we have drawn today, they are all teams with tradition and pedigree in European football."

Captain Javier Zanetti also reflected on Inter's opponents.

"It's a well-balanced group, they are all potentially dangerous teams and we can't underestimate any of them," he said.

He admitted though, that if Inter get their game right, there should not be plenty of problems.

"Everything will depend on us, we have a great team which, if it wants to, can do well against anyone," he opined.

"We know about the difficulties of the Champions League, but we re very focused on doing well and we will give our all to go as far as possible."

[vtec]

CL Draw: Ferguson Relishes Roma Re-Match
Manchester United manager Sir tender Alex Ferguson is relishing his club's re-match against AS Roma in this year's Champions League campaign, and sees it as the key talking point in the draw for Group F that was made this evening in Monaco.


During last season's Champions League quarter-final between United and Roma, violence erupted at both legs.

United supporters were attacked by fans and baton-wielding police in Rome's Stadio Olimpico, resulting in a £31,000 fine for Roma for the behaviour of their fans. United were fined £14,500 by Uefa.

In the second leg, United tore Roma apart on the pitch, running out 7-1 winners to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit.

United boss Ferguson described that second leg showing as "the best ever European evening in my time at the club."

He said today after the draw threw up a reunion for the clubs: "That will be the talking point after last season."

But it is not all about Roma - United are also paired with Sporting Clube de Portugal, the Lisbon outfit from whom the Red Devils signed both Cristiano Ronaldo and, this summer, Nani. Then there will be a difficult trip to Ukraine to face Dynamo Kiev.

"It is a very tight group," said he added. "Dynamo Kiev are a good side.

"We also have two of Sporting Lisbon's former players, so we know a bit about them."

United have previously met Sporting just once, in the old European Cup Winners' Cup. That was 44 years ago, when George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law were in the United side that lost 5-0 in Lisbon.

Ferguson will hope for a different outcome and has set United a target of 10 points to reach the knock-out stages.

"The whole group possesses some very interesting aspects," he said.

"We hope we can get 10 points. It will be difficult but if we can get that I think we will qualify."

[vtec]

CL Draw: Could Have Been Easier - Benitez

Liverfekkin'wankscum manager Rafael Benitez says the Reds face a tough task to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League following tonight's draw in Monaco.

Group A sees seeded Liverfekkin'wankscum drawn with Porto, Marseille and Besiktas as they attempt to reach the final of this competition for the third time in four seasons.

Benitez [lamented to] the Liverfekkin'wankscum website: "It's clear when you look at some of the other groups that ours could have been easier.

"Porto have good experience in the Champions League and have enjoyed a good record over recent seasons. They will be tough opposition for us.

"Marseille are a good side in the French league and they will know a lot about us which could make it more difficult.

"And you always know when you go to Turkey that it will be hard because of the travelling involved and the wonderful support they give their teams over there.

"I am always confident we can qualify but as ever the key will be winning the home games and picking up results away."

[vtec]

CL Draw: Txiki - Barca In Group Of Death

Barcelona technical director Txiki Begiristain claims that his side's Champions League group - comprising Barca, Lyon, Stuttgart and Rangers - is one of the hardest groups


Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain is taking nothing for granted in the Champions League, despite his side's status as top seeds Group E.

Los Culers have been placed in a contest with Olympique Lyon of France, Germany's VfB Stuttgart and Scottish club Rangers, leaving Txiki unconvinced that Barca have safe passage to the knockout rounds.

The former Barca winger called it "one of the hardest groups," adding, "There are three strong teams: the champions of France and Germany, and one of the two great clubs of Scotland."

He continued, "The toughness of this group requires us to be 100% concentrated, and to take these matches seriously."

Johan Neeskens, former Dutch legend and current assistant to coach Frank Rijkaard, was equally grave in his reaction, taking each team in turn.

"[Lyon] is the French champion of the last few years. They're no easy rival, particularly at their own ground. For our French players, this will be a good tie, as they'll be eager to put in two good performances. They'll prove a tough rival.

"[Stuttgart] is an extremely tough opponent and, as a German club, it's very difficult to win on their pitch.

"In addition, they've signed Ewerthon, Mario Gomez and Cacau this season... Against Stuttgart we'll need to give a hundred percent so that problems don't befall us.

"[Rangers] are a team that have been playing very well lately. They're top of their league, and are difficult to face away due to the special atmosphere at their stadium.

"They play a physical game with long balls and we'll need to concentrate hard," he said.

He added that, ultimately, Barca's favourites tag is meaningless.

"In all of Europe, I'm sure that they consider us group favourites. But it's still going to be far from easy.

"In order to make the next round, we'll have to play like a team, and give one hundred precent.

"But it is great that we don't have to travel many kilometers and flight hours. In addition, we don't have to go to Eastern countries like Russia, meaning we don't suffer from extreme weather and cold."

Barca last won the competition in 2005-06, beating Arsenal in the final. None of their groupmates have ever lifted the famous trophy.

[vtec]

CL Draw: Werder Happy With Pairings

Thomas Schaaf and Klaus Allofs have reacted positively to the Champions League draw, which has seen Werder Bremen drawn in Group C alongside Real Madrid, Lazio and Olympiakos.


Speaking after the draw Allofs said, “Real Madrid is of course an absolute dream opponent. The games against them will be similar to those last year against Barcelona and Chelsea.

“We are looking forward to them. Lazio and Olympiakos complete the group and they provide an interesting challenge.â€

[oily]

[Lombardiamia]

[Totally FRANK]

[Lombardiamia]

[Totally FRANK]

[Lombardiamia]

[juventino_italiano]