Champions League & Europa League 2018/19

[Old Man Andrews]

Just knew Chelsea would get Slavia Prague.

Not an easy tie at all. Slavia's comeback last night really was impressive, look like a tough team to beat.

[Hendo]

Just knew Chelsea would get Slavia Prague.

Not an easy tie at all. Slavia's comeback last night really was impressive, look like a tough team to beat.

Would say they were the weakest team left in the competition though.

[Old Man Andrews]

Just knew Chelsea would get Slavia Prague.

Not an easy tie at all. Slavia's comeback last night really was impressive, look like a tough team to beat.

Would say they were the weakest team left in the competition though.

On paper yes but to go over to Seville and play how they did coupled with their great win last night shows they are no mugs. Think Chelsea will sadly go through but not with ease.

[Hendo]

Not an easy tie at all. Slavia's comeback last night really was impressive, look like a tough team to beat.

Would say they were the weakest team left in the competition though.

On paper yes but to go over to Seville and play how they did coupled with their great win last night shows they are no mugs. Think Chelsea will sadly go through but not with ease.

Tbh it was more a jovial dig at Kes/Duffy on the previous page

[Hendo]

In other news.

Each finalist will only receive 17,000 tickets = 34,000 out of a 68,000 stadium.

[From Despair To Where?]

Champions League could shape up like 2008 where all 4 English clubs reached the quarter finals and every one bar the winner was knocked out by another English club.

[Stranded]

To be taken with a pinch of salt given the source but: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footb ... endar.html

Essentially, proposal is from 2024-25 the CL format would change as follows:

- 4 groups of 8 instead of 8 groups of 4 playing home and away
- Qualification via domestic league either scrapped or greatly reduced
- Qualification via "Historical coefficient" so the big name clubs who have done well in Europe are guaranteed a spot at least for the first few years
- Top 4 in each league would qualify for knock-out round starting at last 16.

So, every team would be guaranteed 14 games - not clear if knock-out would be 1 or 2 legs but assuming 2 a finalist would have played 20 games to get there.

If this happens it would have a marked affect on domestic football - in England, would have to think that the League Cup is either scrapped or played alongside CL games with those sides in it fielding an U23 side (yes I know they do now etc...)

If say 4 to 6 PL teams are guaranteed a spot, it may open up the league a bit more as would imagine that clubs will simply keep their better players fresh for the 14 CL games, meaning they play a weaker side in the PL - at least until they get knocked out.

In short, it's a crap idea that will make the CL pretty pointless and just protect the top 20 or so clubs in Europe. Therefore, it is bound to happen.

[From Despair To Where?]

So. As the 3rd most successful English club in EC/CL history, I presume Nottingham Forest are a shoe in for qualification.

[BR0B0T]

So. As the 3rd most successful English club in EC/CL history, I presume Nottingham Forest are a shoe in for qualification.

no

[BR0B0T]

can't see United getting anything out of Barcelona...already lost 2/3rds of the midfield and Rashford still carrying a knock

not sure one goal is enough for Spurs but LFC should be through!

[Victor Meldrew]

can't see United getting anything out of Barcelona...already lost 2/3rds of the midfield and Rashford still carrying a knock

not sure one goal is enough for Spurs but LFC should be through!

With Man Utd having been shown up at home already this season by the better teams a bet of e/s on Barcelona looks good value.
I see that the saviour Ole has been talking to Ferguson-yesterday he was reminding his players (and the ref) that Barca's star players use trickery to get free-kicks.
What a surprise and obviously something that Man Utd players would never do-is Ashley Young playing?

[stealthpapes]

So. As the 3rd most successful English club in EC/CL history, I presume Nottingham Forest are a shoe in for qualification.

no

lol

[tulip]

Ajax!

[The Enfield Royal71]

cROFListiano ROFLonaLOLdo

[sandman]

cROFListiano ROFLonaLOLdo

Five time Champions League Winner Cristiano?

[Stranded]

Ajax!

Would be great if they go on win it - play some stunning football at times.

[tulip]

Ajax!

Would be great if they go on win it - play some stunning football at times.

Cruijff would be proud of this team. There were fireworks going off at full time in my neighbourhood.

[Silver Fox]

cROFListiano ROFLonaLOLdo

Five time Champions League Winner Cristiano?

Got knocked out in the quarter finals this year though, mind you it was by the team that won it 3 times in a row in the early 70s

[Victor Meldrew]

Am not counting chickens for Liverpool tonight as Porto are a good home side but if they score a goal it is most likely they will qualify for yet another semi-final.
Don't see City having too much trouble seeing off Spurs-their only weakness is the defence but will Spurs see enough of the ball to test it?

[John Madejski's Wallet]

Cracking start to the city-spurs game