EURO FOOTY COMPS 2015/16

Post by **BobHelm** » March 8, 2016, 7:14 am

Post by **BobHelm** » March 9, 2016, 7:12 am

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Real might currently be relegated to the third best side in Spain but they are still a side to avoid in Europe. Roma did spurn chances to embarrass the hosts early on & while their defense might not be all it was they still have Ronaldo at the front. 4 nil on aggregate rather flatters the Spanish side though who do look beatable.

Not much of a festival of football in the other game as Wolfsburg did enough to ensure a quarter final spot without setting many hearts racing.
I would imagine that the other 7 qualifiers will be more than happy to draw this German side out of the hat for the next round..

Post by **BobHelm** » March 10, 2016, 7:32 am

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Zenit St Petersburg rather sailed through the qualification stage, while Benfica limped through a rather easy group in second place. Head to head it was the Portuguese side that had all the answers. They were leading 1 nil from the first leg & so just played to frustrate the hosts. That worked well enough until Zenit managed to equalise with 10 minutes left. As the game was drawing to a close a long range effort from Raal Jimanez could only be tipped onto the bar & Nicolas Gaitan had the simple task on heading into the empty net.
Now needing 2 goals to win the game the Russians went on all out attack & suffered the consequences.

Having virtually wrapped up the French championship already (23 points ahead with 9 to play) PSG have rather gone off the boil. So with Chelsea only needing a 1 nil scoreline to progress this looked like a good opportunity for them.
Sadly it was not to be as the visitors scored themselves after only a quarter hour to put all the pressure back on Chelsea.
In truth it was all a bit too easy for PSG, who beat Chelsea only by the away goal rule last season.
It will be interesting to see who Chelsea appoint as manager from here. This is the first time since Abramovich took over that European football will not be happening next season.
A blow to his pockets that he can undoubtedly shrug off. The blow to his pride might be a more bitter pill!!!

Post by **Zidane** » March 10, 2016, 9:07 am

Certainly a time for rebuilding at Chelsea with Italian,Antonio Conte,hotly tipped to be their boss next season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the EPL next season as he's a free agent ??
Surprised that Benfica won at Zenit,though....

Some interesting Europa League ties tonight.....Dortmund v The Spuds,Liverpool v United,Atletico Bilbao v Valencia,to name but three.
When the draw was going to be made United feared a long journey to a lawless third world environment but at least they havent got a long journey !

But,seriously,its a good draw for both clubs and they will both quietly fancy their chances of making the quarter finals.As Van Gaal has been successful in all his 5 matches against Liverpool,so far,I reckon its time for Liverpool to come out on top and make Van Gaals tenure even more insecure which,in turn,will rack up the pressure on mat80

(private bet,readers).

Post by **747man** » March 10, 2016, 11:41 am

Andy,You just love " Having A Go " at my City....When the draw was going to be made United feared a long journey to a lawless third world environment but at least they havent got a long journey !

......When was the last time you went to Manc Land.....

Post by **BobHelm** » March 11, 2016, 7:04 am

Mass team changes did not pay off for Spurs. It looks like they have given themselves way too much to do in order to progress.

United were just poor & didn't manage to create a single chance in the entire game. With the exception of David de Gea it was as dismal a performance as a season of dismal performances has seen.
Zid should be deciding which of his array of quality glasses he will use for wine consumption..

Post by **Zidane** » March 11, 2016, 8:41 am

United were absolutely pathetic ! If it wasnt for the brilliance of de Gea it would have been 6-0 which would have been a fairer reflection of Liverpools dominance !
Normally being outclassed and easily beaten by Liverpool would leave a bitter taste in my mouth but,for some reason,this time I can only feel a nice taste of Chardonnay wetting my lips. $\:D/$
If anyone knows somewhere where there are currently discounts/deals on Chardonnay please pm the forum member,mathusalah80,as soon as possible.Thank you sooo much !

Post by **747man** » March 11, 2016, 10:46 am

I See LiverPOO Got yet ANOTHER Penalty

..............How do they do it

Post by **BobHelm** » March 14, 2016, 1:02 pm

Bunch of 2nd. leg European qualifiers this week..

Post by **socksy** » March 16, 2016, 7:31 am

Tuesday 15th March 2016

UEFA Champions League - Round of 16

Atl Madrid 0-0 PSV Eindhoven (agg 0-0) Athlético Madrid win 8-7 on penalties

Man City 0-0 Dynamo Kiev (agg 3-1)

Saw highlights from Madrid and either team could have won in 90 several very good opportunities went abegging. In the shoot out very well taken penalties till the PSV player hit the bar.

Apparently the least said of the Man City game the better with numerous fans leaving with ten minutes to go with the tie in the bag.

Post by **BobHelm** » March 17, 2016, 7:09 am

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Well Arsene said he was going to attack & the inclusion of 19 year old Alex Iwobi may have been an indication of that. Those cynical pundits at the BBC suggested that it might have more to do with the manager having an eye out for the Saturday Premier league game..

The Gunners had chances, 20 shots, but the fact that only 3 were on target suggests they are still too lightweight in that department.
Unsurprisingly the best 3 combination in World Football had their say in the scoreline. Yes, Neymar (18' minutes), Suárez (65' minutes), Messi (88' minutes) all scored. Suarez, especially, is on a real run. 17 goals in his last 14 games takes him to 40 for the season. It is just as well for every other side that the 3 will not be taking part in the European Championship in France in the summer..

Half time & Bayern were going out of this competition. 2 nil down & the visitors looking the better side. They managed a last gasp equaliser that took the game into extra time. By then they had the momentum though & easily ran away winners.

Of the two winners last night Barca look the side to beat for anyone else to lift the trophy. However Bayern showed again the ability to battle out a result even when they are not playing at their best.
The others will be saying a silent prayer to avoid both these sides!!!

Post by **socksy** » March 17, 2016, 8:41 am

Quarter Final draw can be streamed live via the link below tomorrow. I would think Pelligrini will be hoping to avoid the best strike force in the World from Barcelona, Real Madrid and his future successor's Managers club Bayern, who have players who can easily find the net as well in Lewandowski and Thomas Muller. Komany's injury is a setback for City especially with the players of the three aforementioned club's front men. Wolfsburg would probably be favourable.

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague ... 42738.html

Post by **BobHelm** » March 18, 2016, 8:03 am

United played well in the first half but their dismal display away at Pool always meant that there would be too much to do. The young front pair of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial played with enthusiasm & a fair bit of skill & guile. United fans everywhere will continue to pray the the failed Dutch experiment ends before it has too much opportunity to ruin the pair..

You have to feel that there was not too much enthusiasm at Spurs for this competition. They needed a minor goal miracle after being brushed aside in the away leg. Somewhat surprisingly Spurs attempted that without bothering to start with their main hit man - Harry Kane.
Mauricio Pochettino sees that this is the best opportunity for years to not only be the top club in London, but also actually winning the Premier League. Winning the Mickie Mouse Cup pales to insignificance by comparison.

Post by **747man** » March 18, 2016, 9:29 am

555.............Bob,Is This because United are now Out Of it

Post by **BobHelm** » March 18, 2016, 9:40 am

Not at all Alan, if you look at any of my past posts on the subject of the Europa Cup then it is pretty plain that I have always held the competition in contempt.
A European Competition for those clubs not good enough for a European Competition.

Just yet another way of making money...

Post by **Zidane** » March 18, 2016, 10:35 am

Disappointing to lose but,hopefully,some good will come out of it and plans will be afoot to change the name plate on the managers door,sooner rather than later !

I do hear that a nice bottle or two of Chardonnay is helpful in making defeat seem like a victory !

Post by **socksy** » March 18, 2016, 12:23 pm

You can't help but feel that the English clubs have underperformed in the two current competitions with only Man City and Liverpool remaining in today's draws. I've previously mentioned who Man City would probably like to avoid but never mentioned PSG. I would say 'Clippity' would wish to avoid his old club Dortmund and Athletico Madrid in the Europa.

Post by **BobHelm** » March 18, 2016, 6:15 pm

Champions League quarter-final draw...

Wolfsburg (Germany) v Real Madrid (Spain)

Bayern Munich (Germany) v Benfica (Portugal)

Barcelona (Spain) v Atletico Madrid (Spain)

Paris St-Germain (France) v Manchester City (England)

The quarter-finals will take place on 5-6 April and 12-13 April.

Post by **BobHelm** » March 18, 2016, 7:26 pm

Europa

Sporting Braga (Portugal) v Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)

Villarreal (Spain) v Sparta Prague (Czech Republic)

Athletic Bilbao (Spain) v Sevilla (Spain)

Borussia Dortmund (England) v Liverpool (England)

The Europa League quarter-finals will be played on 7 and 14 April.

The Beeb said Kopps former club was in England - not me!!
Just about the worst draw for Pool...

Post by **747man** » March 18, 2016, 7:40 pm

BobHelm wrote:Not at all Alan, if you look at any of my past posts on the subject of the Europa Cup then it is pretty plain that I have always held the competition in contempt.
A European Competition for those clubs not good enough for a European Competition.
Just yet another way of making money...

True Bob,But you may remember the old " Milk Cup " was also referred to by that name by Liverhooligans,When Everton got to the final.....