2011/2012 Champions League Thread

[d_phaneuf]

Draw today

Champions route

Wisla Krakow v Apoel

Maccabi Haifa v Genk

Dinamo Zagreb v Malmo

FC Copenhagen v Viktoria Plzen

Bate Borisov v Sturm Graz

League route

Odense v Villarreal

FC Twente v Benfica

Arsenal v Udinese

Bayern Munich v Zurich

Lyon v Rubin Kazan

[d_phaneuf]

Arsenal will be missing Nasri, RVP, and most likely Fabregas (who now seems to be faking a hamstring injury so he won't be cup tied) for the first leg

tough draw for them, and for Udinese


First legs are August 16/17

[Locke]

Well, I'll be following Bayern Munich in the Champions League. They shouldnt have too much trouble getting past Zurich.

The Arsenal/Udinese draw is going to be interesting, but Arsenal should still come out of that now that Udinese are without Sanchez who was doing a lot of the heavy lifting there.

[Locke]

Udinese at Arsenal today.

Wenger and Nasri are serving bans and Fabregas is gone. Udinese did lose Sanchez which was a huge blow for them, but I actually think this game might be a bit more even than Arsenal fans might like.

Will that tailspin at the end of the season cost Arsenal?

[troutman]

Has a team from the "Champions Route", ever made it to the semi-finals or finals, in the last 10 years?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by troutman

Has a team from the "Champions Route", ever made it to the semi-finals or finals, in the last 10 years?

I sincerely doubt it.

[d_phaneuf]

they just changed to that format a few years ago

it used to be seedings, UEFA changed it to try and get some more of the 'champions' to the group stages

I really doubt it, I think Copenhagen making the last 16 is probably the furthest someone has gone

[SuperMatt18]

Tough draw for both Arsenal and Udinese today.

Arsenal should have the advantage just because they are already further along in their season and the Serie A campaign still does not start for another couple weeks.

However with all the drama around Cesc, Nasri, the game this weekend, and with RVP being unavailable Udinese may have a shot.

Look out for Di Natale, a good goal scorer who never seems to get enough credit since he doesn't play for one of the "big" teams.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Tough draw for both Arsenal and Udinese today.

Arsenal should have the advantage just because they are already further along in their season and the Serie A campaign still does not start for another couple weeks.

However with all the drama around Cesc, Nasri, the game this weekend, and with RVP being unavailable Udinese may have a shot.

Look out for Di Natale, a good goal scorer who never seems to get enough credit since he doesn't play for one of the "big" teams.

Di Natale is a very good striker, he scored 28 goals last season and can be very dangerous, particularly when hes going to be going up against the buttery soft defence of Arsenal.

I think Udinese have a decent chance here, Arsenal are much weakened, for instance, I have no idea who is going to score their goals with no Nasri, no Cesc and no RvP.

One of the things I keep hearing about Udinese is that they're well organized, and if that proves to be true then they could be tough to break down for a creativity-starved Arsenal. If Di Natale gets even 2 or 3 decent chances he could get an away goal and then Arsenal would be really in tough heading back to Italy.

I think Arsenal want to get away with a scoreless draw today until they can slot Nasri and RvP back into the squad in the second leg, I think they're only serving one match each right?

[d_phaneuf]

would be very surprised if Nasri plays the 2nd leg

his price to City would go way down, and since they are the only ones willing to pay huge money he probably wouldn't get sold and would be free to leave on a Bosman next summer

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

would be very surprised if Nasri plays the 2nd leg

his price to City would go way down, and since they are the only ones willing to pay huge money he probably wouldn't get sold and would be free to leave on a Bosman next summer

Thats a big question mark, BUT, I bet that if they're desperate enough they'll Cup Tie him to get Arsenal into the next round of the CL. Even if that means City pay less or that he walks for free.

That CL money is huge, depending on how far they go.

[d_phaneuf]

I would think, based on his actions lately, he would probably refuse to play

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I would think, based on his actions lately, he would probably refuse to play

Yeah, I'd agree with that. Or he'd just play like crap. I dont know whats going on with Nasri, are they going to sell him or pay him? Pick one and get on with it already.

[Locke]

Good start for Arsenal. Walcott nets one after 5.

Arsene looks bored.

Gervinho was a good acquisition, but Chamakh is a waste of a jersey.

Oh man, Udinese....remember what I was saying about buttery soft defence? Asamoah literally just ran right through them and all the way on goal requiring a great save. Someone make a tackle.

Its nice watching a game where any outcome is good.

[d_phaneuf]

Arsenal need a few more, I think Udinese will score here

[SuperMatt18]

Sounds like Udinese is outplaying them, led by a great performance from Di Natale in attack. Di Natale would actually be good in the EPL since he not only is strong technically, but has some grit to his game as well.

I have a feeling that not getting a goal in the first half may come back to haunt them though since Arsenal will surely tighten up the reigns here at half time.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Arsenal need a few more, I think Udinese will score here

I think Arsenal are in a fair bit of trouble personally, on the attack they're looking composed and good in maintaining possession, but their creativity is lacking.

In defence though, every time Udinese even approach the box Arsenal lose it. The tension from corners is palpable, they just look so shaky.

I will admit Vermaelen has been solid though.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Sounds like Udinese is outplaying them, led by a great performance from Di Natale in attack. Di Natale would actually be good in the EPL since he not only is strong technically, but has some grit to his game as well.

I have a feeling that not getting a goal in the first half may come back to haunt them though since Arsenal will surely tighten up the reigns here at half time.

I wouldnt say that, its been very back and forth but Arsenal have looked more composed in possession, but Udinese have looked threatening in attack and are playing a fast counter, they've looked the more dangerous mostly because the Arsenal defenders just cant handle Di Natale and Arsenal dont really have a central presence in Midfield.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by Locke

Good start for Arsenal. Walcott nets one after 5.

Arsene looks bored.

Gervinho was a good acquisition, but Chamakh is a waste of a jersey.

Oh man, Udinese....remember what I was saying about buttery soft defence? Asamoah literally just ran right through them and all the way on goal requiring a great save. Someone make a tackle.

Its nice watching a game where any outcome is good.

I don't understand Chamakh, he came out guns blazing last season. 10 goals, filled in nicely in RvP's absence, etc. Since then, he's been completely useless.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

I don't understand Chamakh, he came out guns blazing last season. 10 goals, filled in nicely in RvP's absence, etc. Since then, he's been completely useless.

Someone needs to explain to him that a 'dummy' is supposed to be a deception tactic employed against defenders, not just to stand around looking like an idiot.

I dont know how many times someone passed the ball straight to him and he'd 'dummy' it through his legs, except he didnt look to see if there was anyone else there to pick it up and it just easily goes to the defender.