The Official 2010/2011 Champions League Thread

[rubecube]

Are AC Milan really any better than Inter? I think Spurs have a fighting chance of advancing.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Are AC Milan really any better than Inter? I think Spurs have a fighting chance of advancing.

They havent been playing great, but they are the leaders of the Serie A this season. They've been playing much better than Inter.

When you have an offence of Ronaldinho, Robinho and Ibrahimovic people kind of have to beware. Those guys can open up any team if they're on their night.

Spurs certainly have a fighting chance, I wouldnt consider it a lost cause, I see this as a pretty even match.

[SuperMatt18]

AC Milan vs Spurs should be a really entertaining tie that can go either way, and I figure there will be lots of goals. These are two of my favourite teams so I am kinda dissapointed they drew each other.

Milan is weak at LB and RB so Bale and Lennon should be able to take advantage of that with their pace and skill. Plus if Thiago Silva is still injured Nesta will struggle with Van Da Vaart on his own in the centre of the pitch.

Spurs also have some weaknesses at the back, and could be very vulnerable depending on the health of some players . Especially considering I am not sure they have the defense that can contain Ibrah, Ronaldinho, and Robinho even when 100% healthy.

Milan has a big edge with the forwards with Ibrah and the Brazilians being world class, and that being a struggle for Spurs outside of Defoe.

Tottehham have the edge in the midfield due to he current form of Bale and VDV, but that really depends on what Pirlo and Gattuso show up for Milan since they can still be great on certain days.

Defense depends on the health of both squads with the slight edge to Milan due to Nesta and Silva being an elite CB pairing when healthy.

Really a good match up that can go either way, I give the slight edge to Milan due to their experience in these stages of the Champions League.

[d_phaneuf]

They are favored, and I think they would have been in any draw from the 2nd seeded teams. Just that Milan were probly the best team they could get, although in terms of style, it's a good draw because they are playing a team that plays pretty much the same. And Spurs do well against teams that want to attack them, and terrible against teams who park the bus because of a lack of an elite striker

to me the tie comes down to health

If 2 of Gallas/King/Dawson are healthy at the time I really like the chances to get through, Huddlestone being back would be huge as well

as SuperMatt said Bale and Lennon should have a field day with the fullbacks

and I don't think anyone matches up with Modric in central midfield

either a draw or at least scoring an away goal (i.e losing 2-1 or 3-2 etc.) will be crucial in the first leg, I have no doubt they can go at them at WHL and get the definitive scoreline


Arsenal/Barca will be interesting not only for the talent on the field but also to see if Wenger is stubborn about his tactics, he tried to play football with Barca last year and it didn't work at all. Be interesting to see if he tries the same again this year or goes with a more defensive approach.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Arsenal/Barca will be interesting not only for the talent on the field but also to see if Wenger is stubborn about his tactics, he tried to play football with Barca last year and it didn't work at all. Be interesting to see if he tries the same again this year or goes with a more defensive approach.

I'm not sure there exists a good strategy for Arsenal to go with. You won't be beat Barca at their own game because they have to much talent. You don't want to sit back and let them attack either because eventually they'll break you down. Maybe try to do what Copenhagen did and go with a narrow 4-3-2-1? Give 'em space on the wings but clog up the top of the box to make them cross it in.

[d_phaneuf]

ya I think you have to go defensive and completely clog the middle and hope to hurt them on the counter, although even that doesn't always work. Mourinho had the same strategy in the Barca/Madrid game as he did in the Inter/Barca tie last year and his team got thumped a few weeks ago

[d_phaneuf]

Barca's run of 16 straight wins came to an end today

dono if that is good or bad for Arsenal on wednesday

[rubecube]

God, Italian football is such a disgrace.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by rubecube

God, Italian football is such a disgrace.

To be fair Ibrahimovic was diving like a pansy and he's not Italian.

Spurs are just dominating AC.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Also rube that is a great sig.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

To be fair Ibrahimovic was diving like a pansy and he's not Italian.

Spurs are just dominating AC.

True. Spurs are really unlucky to not be up by at least two right now.

[d_phaneuf]

if Bale was playing we'd have at least 2

they need to go through Lennon more, beating his man every time

also hope Harry sees this is there for the taking, put Kranjcar on, and if Modric is fit enough put him on now, if not put him on around the 65th. He can run circles around this midfield

[Coys1882]

Pato coming on...

[Coys1882]

I'm ok losing this game as long as we nick an away goal and keep it within reach. That was a good away half.

[d_phaneuf]

big task for Gallas here, Dawson is marking Ibra well (when Ibra is upright and not diving), Gallas needs to match Pato's speed

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

if Bale was playing we'd have at least 2

they need to go through Lennon more, beating his man every time

also hope Harry sees this is there for the taking, put Kranjcar on, and if Modric is fit enough put him on now, if not put him on around the 65th. He can run circles around this midfield

Not watching but that was always my prediction with this game. Spurs midfield is just head and shoulders above the AC Milan midfield especially on the wings, but Spurs don't have the strike team to overcome Nesta/Silva/Yepes in the center of the pitch.

Milan has the strikeforce to dominate the weakened Spurs defense but since the midfield/fullbacks are comparatively weak they will be hard pressed to get any service.

Also Milan is not doing themselves any favors by starting off with such a defensive system for them. They have played pretty much all season in a 4-3-3 but switched today to a 4-4-2 with 3 defensive midfielders to help slow down Spurs midfield.

[d_phaneuf]

How in f^$&(% hell is taht not a red

two footed studs up tackle

Woody replacing corluka

[rubecube]

That was dirty by Flamini. Should've been straight red.

[rubecube]

Another dive.

[d_phaneuf]

jesus

two amazing saves by Gomes now