The Official 15/16 UEFA Champion's League and International Club News Thread

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Who's talking about United? If he was to come to England, he'd be more suited to the likes of Chelsea.

Actually, if he wants to win big important titles then he goes to Spain.

It's strange to hear you advocating for a footballer to stay in a noncompetitive league when for years you would harp on about how boring La Liga was because it was always a two horse race.

Was? Still is.

I'm just saying that, in my opinion, why leave Germany? Players want to win the big trophies, the CL, the WC, the Euros.

Sure, the domestic title is nice, so are whatever local cups. But they arent the big prize.

So if you're young, the pay is relatively the same but one team is wildly more successful than the other why would you go to that team?

And you're right, it isnt about United, but there is no English team right now in the 'Elite' class of European teams.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by browna

Exhibit a) Hargreaves - from a very good soccer player in Calgary, among many here at that time, but gets a great tryout with Bayern, and makes the absolute most of it. 3 years under the Bayern system he's in the main squad for the next 7 years, and after only a year in the full squad, he's selected to the full England squad, where he remains for 7 years as well.

No way he gets to that ultimate stage in his career to be a man of the match in a WC game (no matter it was Greece) or have that longevity for club and country if he heads to the bright light media spotlight at any big English clubs

Hargreaves had a full pro career that lasted about 8 seasons. I wouldn't apply longevity to describe it.

What exactly are you suggesting would have happened to him if he had went to England? He would have fallen apart under the pressure? It would have been too much for him?

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Locke

Was? Still is.

I'm just saying that, in my opinion, why leave Germany? Players want to win the big trophies, the CL, the WC, the Euros.

Yes, but it is and has always been a far more attractive and exciting league than the one horse Bundesliga. And last I looked Spain had three teams in the last 2 CL finals.

And let's face it, if he wants to win CLs then Spain is probably his best bet. Time will tell but another absolute humiliation by Barcelona might make him think again.

I don't get your Euros/WC point? The Euros and the WC have nothing to do with playing in Germany unless you are suggesting their is some sort of home league favoritism when it comes to selection?

And I was suggesting that his persona would be suited to Chelsea.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

But it's gonna be a lot easier for United to convince him to join when Pep is their manager next year right?

I do think Bayern, amazing as it sounds, can afford to lose him and not have it adversely affect them. If you can get £150 million for Muller, I gotta think it's gonna be very difficult to say no. But obviously if Muller doesn't want to go, he won't go. But at some point every athlete wants a new challenge, so maybe it doesn't happen this year but I think he eventually wants to test himself in the EPL.

uhhh, yeah, if you're going to double the largest ever transfer fee, then obviously.

[CroFlames]

I wouldn't put it past Real to spend that dough.

[nik-]

Why? Because they've made big purchases in the past they're just going to pay double the largest ever fee for someone?

Personally I don't want them to buy anyone. I just want this Perez era to be over. Unfortunately blowing up Malmo seems to have calmed things down. When Real finishes the year trophyless we'll see what happens.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Well at least Arsenal's miracle qualification was rewarded

[devo22]

Gent vs Wolfsburg in the CL, but Dortmund vs Porto in the EL ... weird!

Augsburg-Liverpool is going to be interesting. Spurs get Fiorentina again. United get lucky and draw Midtjylland lol

[Slava]

^ Kind of good though because United can't just throw it and focus on CL. I'm sure they're thrilled to be in Europa to begin with!

[polak]

ooo Juventus vs. Bayern.

Interesting

[Pagal4321]

Bye Champions League, it was fun for yet another year!

[d_phaneuf]

KAA Gent vs VFL Wolfsburg
AS Roma vs Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Arsenal vs Barcelona
Juventus vs Bayern München
PSV Eindhoven vs Atlético Madrid
Benfica vs Zenit
Dynamo Kyiv vs Manchester City

[cam_wmh]

KAA Gent vs VFL Wolfsburg
AS Roma vs Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Arsenal vs Barcelona
Juventus vs Bayern München
PSV Eindhoven vs Atlético Madrid
Benfica vs Zenit
Dynamo Kyiv vs Manchester City

[Locke]

KAA Gent vs VFL Wolfsburg
AS Roma vs Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Arsenal vs Barcelona
Juventus vs Bayern München
PSV Eindhoven vs Atlético Madrid
Benfica vs Zenit
Dynamo Kyiv vs Manchester City

Yeah, thats a tough draw for Bayern. They handled Juve fairly easily a couple of years ago but it would have been nice to get a bit of an easier draw. Like Dynamo Kiev or something.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Locke

Yeah, thats a tough draw for Bayern. They handled Juve fairly easily a couple of years ago but it would have been nice to get a bit of an easier draw. Like Dynamo Kiev or something.

This year's Juve isn't last year's Juve. Bayern should be able to handle them without a lot of concern.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by nik-

This year's Juve isn't last year's Juve. Bayern should be able to handle them without a lot of concern.

A big reason for that is that now Vidal and Coman play for Bayern!

[nik-]

And Pirlo retired plays in MLS.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by nik-

And Pirlo retired plays in MLS.

And isnt Buffon collecting a pension? That guy's got to be at least 65.

[nik-]

Buffon is 248 years old.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by nik-

Buffon is 248 years old.

Hes a wizard!