Champions League : Elite 8

THREE Spanish clubs
TWO German clubs
ONE each from France, Turkey and Italy

ZERO English clubs.

really says more about the random draw than anything

Thanks to a ridiculous red card on Nani.

Nani did go cleats up into the abdomen. Sloppy mistake that cost ManU an opportunity to advance.

finish1 wrote:Nani did go cleats up into the abdomen. Sloppy mistake that cost ManU an opportunity to advance.

Totally agree.... it doesn't have to be intentional to be a foul. It was a reckless play on Nani's part....HALA MADRID!!

I only watched it live. He raised the foot for the ball not seeing Arbeloa. Seems like maybe not looking for Arbeloa was a big mistake. Whatever, been debated endlessly elsewhere. Obvioulsy Arbeloa will act like he was gored and Ramos will bitch-beg for a red and Fergie will get irate that things didn't go his way for once. Can't stand RM or ManU so lose-lose situation either way. But ManU was excellent that game up to that point. Let's go Dortmund.

But I'll bite in general on the original post. English football must be terrible. Most of us speak English here....this is why NTX soccer development is terrible, my son is getting overlooked for BSFs, and the USMNT is doomed. (Isn't this where people take every topic?) Fire Thornber! Get a Spaniard!

Speaking of the draw, here is the new draw from the early morning hours in Europe.

Who do you see in the Semis?

I predict FC Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid vs. Dortmund. An all Spain vs. German set.

seems rigged does it not? not that there is any corruption in soccer's organizing bodies....

I'm not sure how the seedings occurred or who plays at home in the first leg, etc.

But it doesn't seem like a coincidence that the four stronger clubs avoided a clash with each other in the semifinals.

Also, it does seem suspicious that another Clasico between FC Barcelona v Real Madrid is being set-up. Although, Dortmund and the defending champ, Bayern Munich won't roll-over for anyone.

There's always the possibility of a huge upset.

The English, will participate to a certain degree, they at least get to host the Final at Wembley.

It might seem rigged, but I don't see anything wrong with such a setup... Many leagues and International Tournaments are arbitrarily setup to face 1-8, 2-7, 3-6, 4-5, based on ranking.... Bayern, MADRID, Barcelona, Dortmund seems a fair 1-4 side and Juve, PSG, Galatazaray, Malaga a logical 5-8.

Don't complain Farza's .... you played Milan in round of 8th's!

English futball is among the best in the world and will always be contenders for the top spots in international competitions. Arsenal won some important trophy last year. Anybody remember?

I thought it was a random draw?

Oh best explanation of the Nani red was that in europe that is a red card and in EPL that is a yellow at best. Just a different standard. It would have been hard for Nani to pull out of it since he didn't see the other guy coming so I guess lesson learned is keep your feet down and if you see someones leg up go run into it.

go99 wrote:I thought it was a random draw?

Oh best explanation of the Nani red was that in europe that is a red card and in EPL that is a yellow at best. Just a different standard. It would have been hard for Nani to pull out of it since he didn't see the other guy coming so I guess lesson learned is keep your feet down and if you see someones leg up go run into it.

It is a random draw-supposedly. 7 of the 8 bracket winners are in the quarter final with Galatasaray the only 2nd place team making it into this round. I think at that point anything is possible. Before the draw I opted for Juventus but now I am not so sure anymore.

The thing about the random draw is you not only have to play well you have to get the right draw. So the best teams don't always make it down to the end. Sometime they are eliminated by the other top teams. I think it makes it more interesting and a little more random. Otherwise a seeded tournament would have the same teams at the end every year. Sucks than ManU had real but looks like it's Barca's turn this time. That PSG team can be dangerous

PG-Boy wrote:THREE Spanish clubs
TWO German clubsONE each from France, Turkey and Italy

ZERO English clubs.

Three Spanish Clubs
Two German Clubs

and a partridge in a pear tree