2011-2012 European Football Thread.

[Scrat1]

I'm not a Barcelona fan, but I'll be pretty annoyed if Chelsea pulls off the upset. Barcelona is clearly the better team and Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich/Real Madrid is significantly more exciting than Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich/Real Madrid. I like Bayern Munich and would love to see them in the final. At the same time, a champions league clasico would be epic. Either of those match ups will be great. If Chelsea sneaks in there the whole thing becomes pretty anti-climactic, like Luke Skywalker entering the Death Star expecting to fight Darth Vader and instead finding Randy Newman. What a letdown.

[Basketeer]

I'm not a Barcelona fan, but I'll be pretty annoyed if Chelsea pulls off the upset. Barcelona is clearly the better team and Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich/Real Madrid is significantly more exciting than Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich/Real Madrid. I like Bayern Munich and would love to see them in the final. At the same time, a champions league clasico would be epic. Either of those match ups will be great. If Chelsea sneaks in there the whole thing becomes pretty anti-climactic, like Luke Skywalker entering the Death Star expecting to fight Darth Vader and instead finding Randy Newman. What a letdown.

My reasons for wanting Chelsea to perform well are two-fold:

1) Chelsea making it to the final somewhat validates the idea that BPL football is still tops. Despite the shortcomings of the English teams in Europe this season, having the current #6 in the table make it to the UCL final would show that talk of La Liga far surpassing BPL is premature.

2) If Chelsea does make it to the final and somehow WINS, they're guaranteed a UCL berth next season. Which makes it easier for Newcastle to claim a UCL berth as well.

I agree, a Barca-Real/Bayern final would be much more exciting and I still think it'll end up that way. But you gotta love the storyline of Chelsea's season if they manage to knock-off Barca AND beat Real/Bayern in the final. Who would've seen that coming?

[atom_25]

My reasons for wanting Chelsea to perform well are two-fold:

1) Chelsea making it to the final somewhat validates the idea that BPL football is still tops. Despite the shortcomings of the English teams in Europe this season, having the current #6 in the table make it to the UCL final would show that talk of La Liga far surpassing BPL is premature.

2) If Chelsea does make it to the final and somehow WINS, they're guaranteed a UCL berth next season. Which makes it easier for Newcastle to claim a UCL berth as well.

I agree, a Barca-Real/Bayern final would be much more exciting and I still think it'll end up that way. But you gotta love the storyline of Chelsea's season if they manage to knock-off Barca AND beat Real/Bayern in the final. Who would've seen that coming?

I love the Premier League as much as the next guy, but I think La Liga is better this season. In addition to their "big 2" three of the four semifinalists in UEFA Cup are from La Liga. I think the Premier League may have better teams from say 7th or so down to 15th or 16th in the table, but the bottom few teams in the Premier League this season have been pretty bad this season as well. Also not sure if Chelsea getting to the final validates anything other than AVB screwed them up for 2/3 of the season. What would be really interesting to see would be a one off two legged tie between La Liga and the Premier League, where #1 in the table takes on #1 in the other table. Ie, Manchester United vs Real Madrid, City vs Barca, Arsenal vs Valencia, etc. I would pay to see that. Screw the Champions League.

Also if Chelsea wins the Champions League, it makes it so only first through third in the league qualify as Chelsea automatically qualify as the cup holders. Thus Spurs & Newcastle would pretty much get screwed.

As to Chelsea debate, I am not sure what to think of Cahill now. I always thought he was over rated being British as I have seen some average forwards take him to school at Bolton. I gotta say he looks a ton better having moved to Chelsea and playing in a better team. As for Luiz, I think it is just going to take time for him. When he is on his game (this season) he has been class- stout defensively, read the game well, quick, strong, and a threat going forward. That said, when he has been bad he has been awful. There is almost no middle ground. I think it might just be a matter of time to get more consistent good performances out of him, we shall see.

[Pedro Cerrano]

C'mon Chelsea. Find the back of the net just once in Spain.

[Basketeer]

Also if Chelsea wins the Champions League, it makes it so only first through third in the league qualify as Chelsea automatically qualify as the cup holders. Thus Spurs & Newcastle would pretty much get screwed.

Agreed about La Liga, it's definitely tops this season. But still, going into any given season, ya already know which two teams are going to be duking it out for the title.

Ah, this I did not know. I just assumed spots 1-4 were guaranteed and if someone else were to win the whole thing, that'd be like a bonus #5. Thanks.

[Basketeer]

After reading this: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/l...castle-united/, I'm not so sure about UCL qualification for Newcastle. A UEL berth might be better for a team that hasn't played in Europe for a few years, allow them to build-up to it. Add some players, play in a slightly less demanding Europa League and still have enough firepower to compete for a top 4 finish next year.

[Basketeer]

Meh, screw that. Spurs loss to QPR means Toon have sole possession of 4th! 3 points back of Arsenal with a game in hand!

[Skeletor]

What are Newcastle's remaining fixtures looking like?

[gallden]

Newcastle should really thank Liverpool for funding their pursuit of Champions League football.

[Basketeer]

What are Newcastle's remaining fixtures looking like?

Away at Wigan, Chelsea, and Everton. Home with City. Not the easiest final 4. Wigan and Everton could cause headaches too.

Newcastle should really thank Liverpool for funding their pursuit of Champions League football.

Haha that nice ?42 million bag of gold from Carroll and Enrique is sure sweet.

[gallden]

Haha that nice ?42 million bag of gold from Carroll and Enrique is sure sweet.

We should have been buying your scouts instead of players....

[Basketeer]

We should have been buying your scouts instead of players....

Dude. What the hell is going on at Anfield this season. And why is King Kenny still around? I'm pretty sure he has a worse league record than Hodgson did.

[gallden]

Dude. What the hell is going on at Anfield this season. And why is King Kenny still around? I'm pretty sure he has a worse league record than Hodgson did.

I still want him back next season. But I think we've learned who bought these overpriced British players and he was sacked two weeks ago. For me the Roy sacking had as much to do with off the pitch business as did with on. Either way I was glad to see the back of him and his route 1 football. While 4th would have been delightful, we're already playing in Europe next season and we have a chance to win two domestic cups in one season, next year if we're not challenging for fourth will be the ultimate judge on him.

I really wish he would not have taken the job to begin with...

[Basketeer]

I still want him back next season. But I think we've learned who bought these overpriced British players and he was sacked two weeks ago. For me the Roy sacking had as much to do with off the pitch business as did with on. Either way I was glad to see the back of him and his route 1 football. While 4th would have been delightful, we're already playing in Europe next season and we have a chance to win two domestic cups in one season, next year if we're not challenging for fourth will be the ultimate judge on him.

I really wish he would not have taken the job to begin with...

I think one of Liverpool's best additions for next season will be a player already on the roster: Joe Cole. He's having a resurgent year for Lille, 8 goals and 5 assists. I never bought into the 'washed-up' hype surrounding him. He's a very specific type of player, but if he's utilized correctly he can be a solid performer. Hodgson misused him as a CAM and Dalglish never gave him much of a chance. Cole's best when played out wide, a position that Liverpool's been lacking production from (and what Downing was supposed to provide).

[Pedro Cerrano]

So Man U drew today at home against Everton and Man City won. If Man City wins out they will, at worst, be tied at the top of the table (since Man City would have to beat Man U in the Derby).

How do the tie breakers work? Would Man City gain the advantage if they go 2-0 against Man U this year?