Since the season is basically over - especially for fans like me backing sub-par teams (Roma, your 2011-12 campaign is dead to me) - here's a running list of hot summer friendlies around the USA I've noticed over the past couple of weeks:
Philadelphia Union vs. Schalke 04
May 9 @ 7:30pm (ET)
PPL Park, Chester, PA
Portland Timbers vs. Valencia
May 23 @ 7pm (PT)
JELD-WEN Field, Portland, OR
Houstan Dynamo vs. Valencia
May 31, 7:30pm (local time?)
BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, TX
Philadelphia Union vs. Aston Villa
July 18 @ 7:30pm (ET)
PPL Park, Chester, PA
Seattle Sounders vs. Chelsea
July 18 @ 9:30pm (ET)
Qwest Field, Seattle, WA
Toronto FC vs. Liverpool
July 21 @ 4pm (ET)
Rogers Centre, Toronto, ONT
Chicago Fire vs. Aston Villa
July 21 @ 7:30pm (CT)
Toyota Park, Chicago, IL
Chelsea vs. PSG
July 22 @ 7pm (ET)
Yankee Stadium, New York City
AS Roma vs. TBD
July 22 @ TBD
Chicago, IL
Portland Timbers vs. Aston Villa
July 24 @ 7:30pm (PT)
JELD-WEN Field, Portland, OR
LA Galaxy vs. Tottenham
July 24 @ TBD
The Home Depot Center, Carson, CA
AS Roma vs. Liverpool - The Underachiever's Shield 2012
July 25 @ 6:30pm (ET)
Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Chelsea vs. MLS All-Stars
July 25 @ 8:30pm (ET)
PPL Park, Chester, PA
AS Roma vs. TBD
July 28 @ TBD
New York City
Trophee Des Champions - France's Community Shield
League winner vs. Lyon (cup winner)
July 28 @ 3pm (ET)
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ
Liverpool vs. Tottenham
July 28 @ 1pm (ET)
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Chelsea vs. AC Milan
July 28 @ 6pm (ET)
Sun Life Stadium, Miami, FL
DC United vs. Juventus
July 28 @ TBD
RFK Stadium, Washington, DC
*yet to be finalized
New York Red Bulls vs. Tottenham
July 31 @ TBD
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ
LA Galaxy vs. Real Madrid
August 2 @ 10:30pm (ET)
The Home Depot Center, Carson, CA
Juventus vs. Real Madrid
August 5 @ 8pm (local time?)
Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
*possible rematch on August 8 @ Yankee Stadium, New York City
That's all I have for now. I will update this list when I hear further dates have been announced. Please comment below on other games I failed to mention!
Showing posts with label Real Madrid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Real Madrid. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
El Clasico-FIFA '12 Correlation
El Clasico is nothing more than a bad FIFA '12 dream for Real Madrid.
Ever play a crunch match in FIFA where you know you are better than your opponent? With the buzz of your 360 in the background, you dominate the first half, cause constant pressure, and have a bundle of goal-scoring chances. You're play is so flawless that it's only a matter of time before you score.
But then, you don't. Shots rifle off the post and your striker for some reason doesn't convert a chance he would nine times out of ten. Doubt creeps in your mind. It's going to be "one of those games," where this jerk I'm playing, who is a cheese team like Barcelona, pulls one back against the run of play. And then before half-time that exactly happens. Bam, Messi does something and somehow the balls in the back of the net. Then to compound this misery, a ridiculous strike from nowhere is scored leaving you to say: I hate this game. It's 2-0, it's Barca, there's no way back.
Nothing is more unnerving. This is El Clasico for Real Madrid. Things simply do not go their way. They deserved to win yesterday, the other day, and usually. They pounded Barca in the first half and wound up two nil down. This logically means Barcelona are so good they're cheap. They are the left trigger + Y pass to a fast player move in FIFA: downright annoying.
I could care less about La Liga, Barcelona, or Real Madrid, but watching highlights of last nights game screamed to me FIFA '12 injustice! Disagree or not, the scenario that happened to Madrid last night has happened to you while playing FIFA online or with friends.
Perhaps I'm playing too much FIFA '12?
Photo Credit:
EA Sports
 |
| Ramos receiving his marching orders after jumping near Messi |
But then, you don't. Shots rifle off the post and your striker for some reason doesn't convert a chance he would nine times out of ten. Doubt creeps in your mind. It's going to be "one of those games," where this jerk I'm playing, who is a cheese team like Barcelona, pulls one back against the run of play. And then before half-time that exactly happens. Bam, Messi does something and somehow the balls in the back of the net. Then to compound this misery, a ridiculous strike from nowhere is scored leaving you to say: I hate this game. It's 2-0, it's Barca, there's no way back.
Nothing is more unnerving. This is El Clasico for Real Madrid. Things simply do not go their way. They deserved to win yesterday, the other day, and usually. They pounded Barca in the first half and wound up two nil down. This logically means Barcelona are so good they're cheap. They are the left trigger + Y pass to a fast player move in FIFA: downright annoying.
I could care less about La Liga, Barcelona, or Real Madrid, but watching highlights of last nights game screamed to me FIFA '12 injustice! Disagree or not, the scenario that happened to Madrid last night has happened to you while playing FIFA online or with friends.
Perhaps I'm playing too much FIFA '12?
Photo Credit:
EA Sports
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The King, Has Returned...
Hi all:
After a month of relentlessly searching for an apartment, finding one, paying for one, packing, moving, unpacking, and living - I am back and it feels good! Now that I am all settled, let me tell you about certain things in world football that are unsettling to me at the moment:
Barcelona
They have won it all. Everything. Their players are the best ever. Their team is the best ever. And I am tired of it. I am fed up with their success and style of play. Sick of it! Just when I thought some Barca-relief was on its way after the season ended, quite the opposite has occurred, as every news source indicates any player, anywhere, of any age, is tied to a summer move to Barcelona. Any semi-large move in world football has at least two teams interested in the player: Team X and Barcelona. For more on that, see below.
Transfer Sagas
The summer window is a super-exciting time to be a football fan. Each hour, die-hardistas like myself sit on the edge of our seats and pray to Pele himself that the next big star will put pen to paper for our team, not Lazio merda. Along with this on-the-edge prayfest, comes the long, drawn-out sagas that will capture headlines for weeks, months, or even the whole summer. Here are some of those sagas:
Another summer, another saga. Will Cesc Fabregas finally leave Arsenal for Barcelona (or the Mets)?! The young captain's future was made clear, in a muddled way, as he was omitted from Arsenal's new kit photo-shoot earlier this week. Football pundits see this as a great big sign that Cesc will leave. My opinion: I think they are right.
Alexis Sanchez Udinese
Price tag €35M - €45M
The Chilean winger has certainly caused quite the coup on football's front pages as of late, with both Manchester teams and Barcelona, naturally, interested in the player. Sanchez has publicly stated it's Barca or bust, and the Catalan giants have put in their final bid for the player (supposedly). Will this drag on? I'd wager he leaves Udine and gets dumped into the talent ocean in Barcelona.
Neymar Santos
Price tag €40M - €50M
We might never see the end of the Neymar saga which means we might never see the end of a rooster haircut appearing on our browser every single day, at any time of the day. The talented young Brazilian, who apparently has the Midas Touch, is wanted by five clubs: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and the Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. I'm not sure where the young gun will end up, but frankly, I'm too tired of hearing about him to care.
Javier Pastore Palermo
Price tag €30M - €50M
Argentine hitman Javier Pastore could certainly be headed for an exit this summer, but to where, I know not. Palermo President Mauro Zamparini seems willing to let the player go and is up to his old, not-so-sly tricks of asking for ridiculous amounts of money for players, then randomly accepting less. Pastore should make a move, but who knows with a crazy old man pulling the strings.
Charlie Adam Blackpool
Price tag Who cares?
Despite all the big money moves on the line in world football, nothing makes me more angry than constantly seeing rumors about Charlie Adam. It started during the winter window: he was going to Liverpool for sure but the move fell through at the penultimate moment. Now here we are again: he's going to Liverpool but the move has stalled because blammo, Chelsea and Spurs are in the mix! Is this player really worth all this speculation? Please stop.
The Gold Cup
I know the Gold Cup is not tremendous news to those around world football, but to us Americans, it's pretty much all we had this summer. Which is why I am sad to say, it sucked bad. The USMNT played sub-par the whole tournament on their way to getting smashed by their fiercest rival Mexico, again. Bob Bradley seemed to have no grasp of his lineup and fielded a few question marks consistently.
I agree with Sweat Pants Bob on benching leading USMNT scorer of all time Landon Donovan for the match in which he arrived from his sister's wedding at 7am on gameday, but the rest of the games? Are you kidding me?
FIFA's new rankings came out and supporters of American soccer should have cringed when they saw the top ten: 9. Mexico. Our benchmark just jumped into the top ten! We're in the top 25 though...barely. I think it is time for some changes in the national team camp. Sorry to say, but I think Bob Bradley must go.
Well, that's all that's bothering me at the moment. Stay tuned for some more regular Sensible Soccer posts!
After a month of relentlessly searching for an apartment, finding one, paying for one, packing, moving, unpacking, and living - I am back and it feels good! Now that I am all settled, let me tell you about certain things in world football that are unsettling to me at the moment:
Barcelona
They have won it all. Everything. Their players are the best ever. Their team is the best ever. And I am tired of it. I am fed up with their success and style of play. Sick of it! Just when I thought some Barca-relief was on its way after the season ended, quite the opposite has occurred, as every news source indicates any player, anywhere, of any age, is tied to a summer move to Barcelona. Any semi-large move in world football has at least two teams interested in the player: Team X and Barcelona. For more on that, see below.
Transfer Sagas
The summer window is a super-exciting time to be a football fan. Each hour, die-hardistas like myself sit on the edge of our seats and pray to Pele himself that the next big star will put pen to paper for our team, not Lazio merda. Along with this on-the-edge prayfest, comes the long, drawn-out sagas that will capture headlines for weeks, months, or even the whole summer. Here are some of those sagas:
Cesc Fabregas Arsenal
Price Tag €30M - €40M
 |
| Fabregas fuels speculation of a move to the New York Mets ... |
Alexis Sanchez Udinese
Price tag €35M - €45M
The Chilean winger has certainly caused quite the coup on football's front pages as of late, with both Manchester teams and Barcelona, naturally, interested in the player. Sanchez has publicly stated it's Barca or bust, and the Catalan giants have put in their final bid for the player (supposedly). Will this drag on? I'd wager he leaves Udine and gets dumped into the talent ocean in Barcelona.
 |
| Future star/got2be spokesman |
Price tag €40M - €50M
We might never see the end of the Neymar saga which means we might never see the end of a rooster haircut appearing on our browser every single day, at any time of the day. The talented young Brazilian, who apparently has the Midas Touch, is wanted by five clubs: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and the Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. I'm not sure where the young gun will end up, but frankly, I'm too tired of hearing about him to care.
Javier Pastore Palermo
Price tag €30M - €50M
Argentine hitman Javier Pastore could certainly be headed for an exit this summer, but to where, I know not. Palermo President Mauro Zamparini seems willing to let the player go and is up to his old, not-so-sly tricks of asking for ridiculous amounts of money for players, then randomly accepting less. Pastore should make a move, but who knows with a crazy old man pulling the strings.
Charlie Adam Blackpool
Price tag Who cares?
Despite all the big money moves on the line in world football, nothing makes me more angry than constantly seeing rumors about Charlie Adam. It started during the winter window: he was going to Liverpool for sure but the move fell through at the penultimate moment. Now here we are again: he's going to Liverpool but the move has stalled because blammo, Chelsea and Spurs are in the mix! Is this player really worth all this speculation? Please stop.
The Gold Cup
I know the Gold Cup is not tremendous news to those around world football, but to us Americans, it's pretty much all we had this summer. Which is why I am sad to say, it sucked bad. The USMNT played sub-par the whole tournament on their way to getting smashed by their fiercest rival Mexico, again. Bob Bradley seemed to have no grasp of his lineup and fielded a few question marks consistently.
I agree with Sweat Pants Bob on benching leading USMNT scorer of all time Landon Donovan for the match in which he arrived from his sister's wedding at 7am on gameday, but the rest of the games? Are you kidding me?
FIFA's new rankings came out and supporters of American soccer should have cringed when they saw the top ten: 9. Mexico. Our benchmark just jumped into the top ten! We're in the top 25 though...barely. I think it is time for some changes in the national team camp. Sorry to say, but I think Bob Bradley must go.
Well, that's all that's bothering me at the moment. Stay tuned for some more regular Sensible Soccer posts!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Told You! Told You!
Well, I was right. I didn't flat out predict that Real Madrid would beat Barcelona, but I alluded to it in my last post describing the three exciting non-league Clasicos over the coming weeks.
The evidence was clear: Jose Mourinho outwitted Pep Guardiola. The Madrid gaffer infused Pepe in a central midfield role higher up the field to cancel out the movements of Xavi. Pepe did the job on Xavi, which stunted Barca's passing game early on, and created a proactive approach for Madrid to deal with the crafty Catalan midfield: pressure them up high when they receive the ball.
The plan also called for balls to be played down the wings to expose Barca's wing-backs and swing in crosses. Cristiano Ronaldo was incorporated as the squads main striker and he did what any good striker does: nodded home when called upon.
All in all, Mourinho's tactic of neutralizing the midfield and banging balls down the flanks paid dividends. Hell, he even let Barca come at Madrid in the second half, as Zonal Marking highlights in a much more comprehensive look at the game.
In the next two Champions League Classicos we will truly see what Pep Guardiola is made of as a coach. Mourinho's got the drop on him now, but can Pep respond with some wily tactics of his own? We'll see.
Oh and I had to add this:
It's been over a decade since Madrid won the Copa del Rey...and now the trophy is smashed to bits thanks to Sergio Ramos and the team bus.
The evidence was clear: Jose Mourinho outwitted Pep Guardiola. The Madrid gaffer infused Pepe in a central midfield role higher up the field to cancel out the movements of Xavi. Pepe did the job on Xavi, which stunted Barca's passing game early on, and created a proactive approach for Madrid to deal with the crafty Catalan midfield: pressure them up high when they receive the ball.
The plan also called for balls to be played down the wings to expose Barca's wing-backs and swing in crosses. Cristiano Ronaldo was incorporated as the squads main striker and he did what any good striker does: nodded home when called upon.
All in all, Mourinho's tactic of neutralizing the midfield and banging balls down the flanks paid dividends. Hell, he even let Barca come at Madrid in the second half, as Zonal Marking highlights in a much more comprehensive look at the game.
In the next two Champions League Classicos we will truly see what Pep Guardiola is made of as a coach. Mourinho's got the drop on him now, but can Pep respond with some wily tactics of his own? We'll see.
Oh and I had to add this:
It's been over a decade since Madrid won the Copa del Rey...and now the trophy is smashed to bits thanks to Sergio Ramos and the team bus.
 |
| Real Madrid - 2011 Copa del Rey Winners |
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Matches 3, 4, and 5
Two Clasicos per year is the standard. Three, a gift. Four and you're wondering if the planets have aligned. But five?! WOW. Usually the two Clasicos pitting Real Madrid against Barcelona are the feature of the La Liga season, but this year, they take a back seat to the next three matches.
The additional three Clasicos this year will establish bragging rights for quite some time. Nothing resonates more than raising your league's domestic cup in the face of your foe and/or knocking your enemy out of the Champions League. Real Madrid and Barcelona: sh*t just got real.
Copa del Rey Final
Today, 3:30pm EST
Champions League Semifinal - Leg 1
April 27th, 2:45pm EST, Bernabeu
Champions League Semifinal - Leg 2
May 3rd, 2:45pm EST, Camp Nou
Feast your eyes on these three matches, friends, because they will most likely be the best we see all year.
Predictions: Are you crazy?! Who can predict these games? The only thing I will say in lieu of a prediction is that I believe Jose Mourinho is a better coach than Pep Guardiola. Guardiola is pretty good, but I think Mourinho pips him tactically. And the more Mou sees of a team, the higher his team's chances are of winning. That's logical.
Enjoy these football delights!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Champs League Q-Finals: High-Time For a Hero, No Time For Mistakes
It is nitty-gritty time in the UEFA Champions League. At this stage, minor gaffes and blunders could cost a team the chance to vie for the final. As we approach the crucial quarter-final matches of the tournament this week, I thought I would remind you of who's playing who, and lend my expert opinion on who will win:
Inter Milan vs. Schalke 04
Inter comes into the first leg of this match after being demolished by Milan in the Derby della Madonnina. Though morale might be low, the form of the holders is still on the rise. They have clawed their way back towards the top of the Serie A table, after a dismal start to the season, and will be ready as ever for a reaction against Schalke.
Schalke on the other hand, have been spotty all year round. They currently lie in 11th place and have recently fired their coach, which is strange for a UCL quarter-finalist. That said, they've been brilliant in Champions League play. Raul has been a real leader on the pitch and contributions from crafty Peruvian Jeffrey Farfan have created a beacon of hope for the struggling Bundesliga side.
Prediction: Inter will win this tie...their record against German opposition has been tremendous. But please note, I have been wrong about every prediction involving Schalke this season.
Real Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur
The Spurs run through Europe is subject to a major obstacle in Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid. Tottenham gaffer Harry Redknapp has guided his side through some difficult challenges thus far, but a quarter-final date with Madrid is the toughest yet.
Each team has a few notables missing: Karim Benzema for the Merengues (Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo are in the squad but doubtful) and Steven Pienaar for Tottenham (William Gallas is in the squad but doubtful). Welshman Gareth Bale most likely will feature and it appears that Gonzalo Higuain is back from a long injury layoff.
Prediction: Real Madrid will take the tie...Tottenham has ridden luck for far too long in such a high-caliber competition.
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
Two English powerhouses square off in what should be an entertaining quarter-final. Chelsea continue to falter in Premier League play while Manchester United remain on course to lift the title. At this moment, I do not think Chelsea has the form to overcome a sturdy side in United. Perhaps Fernando Torres will choose this vital moment to bag his first goal for the Blues?
Prediction: Manchester United will run away with this one...Chelsea are under-performing in the EPL and will most likely carry their poor form with them to the tournament.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Barcelona
Prediction: No description necessary - Barcelona will dominate this tie and waltz into the semi-finals. Shakhtar got lucky with their draw against dreadful AS Roma, but that luck has run out. This one was over at the drawing.
Well, what do you think?
Inter comes into the first leg of this match after being demolished by Milan in the Derby della Madonnina. Though morale might be low, the form of the holders is still on the rise. They have clawed their way back towards the top of the Serie A table, after a dismal start to the season, and will be ready as ever for a reaction against Schalke.
Schalke on the other hand, have been spotty all year round. They currently lie in 11th place and have recently fired their coach, which is strange for a UCL quarter-finalist. That said, they've been brilliant in Champions League play. Raul has been a real leader on the pitch and contributions from crafty Peruvian Jeffrey Farfan have created a beacon of hope for the struggling Bundesliga side.
Prediction: Inter will win this tie...their record against German opposition has been tremendous. But please note, I have been wrong about every prediction involving Schalke this season.
Real Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur
The Spurs run through Europe is subject to a major obstacle in Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid. Tottenham gaffer Harry Redknapp has guided his side through some difficult challenges thus far, but a quarter-final date with Madrid is the toughest yet.
Each team has a few notables missing: Karim Benzema for the Merengues (Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo are in the squad but doubtful) and Steven Pienaar for Tottenham (William Gallas is in the squad but doubtful). Welshman Gareth Bale most likely will feature and it appears that Gonzalo Higuain is back from a long injury layoff.
Prediction: Real Madrid will take the tie...Tottenham has ridden luck for far too long in such a high-caliber competition.
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
Prediction: Manchester United will run away with this one...Chelsea are under-performing in the EPL and will most likely carry their poor form with them to the tournament.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Barcelona
Prediction: No description necessary - Barcelona will dominate this tie and waltz into the semi-finals. Shakhtar got lucky with their draw against dreadful AS Roma, but that luck has run out. This one was over at the drawing.
Well, what do you think?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Messi vs. Ronaldo: The Repetitive Comparison
It seems to me that over the last year there have been a myriad of articles from respected soccer media sources highlighting the now age old question of who's better, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. My answer: who cares.
Both players are incredibly talented and will go down as two of the best in history, yet this comparison is beat to death in the media. A fellow enthusiast and like-minded thinker pointed out, after my Ballon d'Or post of disgust, that these names are household names now. He's absolutely right. If any person with a remote interest in soccer is asked to name a few players, I am positive the names Messi, Ronaldo, or Beckham will be uttered. These men are what's hot in world football and being leeched on by the media as a result. And to the media's delight, fuel was added to the fire when Ronaldo joined Real Madrid, the top competitor to Messi's Barcelona in La Liga. This rivalry is so hyped that you can type in "Messi v" in Google's search and you will find the term automatically filled in with "s Ronaldo" (and vice versa).
One particular news source that upsets me is Goal.com. Usually, I am delighted by their diligent and comprehensive soccer reporting, but their weekly insistence on pitting Messi and Ronaldo's stats against each other is ridiculous (see this week's comparison here). It's shocking that a source of such esteem chooses to focus weekly on this topic. At this point, it's almost like 'selling out'.
There are other topics of importance to discuss. Not everyone cares about La Liga. Not everyone cares about Real Madrid or Barcelona. And not everyone cares about Lionel Messi or Cristano Ronaldo. Stop wasting our time by comparing these two over and over again.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Champions League Roundup: Who's In, Who's Hot, and Who's Not
The UEFA Champions League is heating up, people. Group winners and runner-ups have been established and are ready for the Round of 16 drawing on Friday, December 17th. There were some frills, thrills, and surprises in this year's Group Stage, which I will touch upon in a light analysis of each team that has progressed. But first, please see the official seedings for the day of the draw, listed below.
Pot 1 (Group Winners)
Barcelona (D)
Man Utd. (C)
Chelsea (F)
Bayern Munich (E)
Real Madrid (G)
Shakhtar Donetsk (H)
Tottenham (A)
Schalke 04 (B)
Pot 2 (Runners-up)
Arsenal (H)
Inter Milan (A)
AC Milan (G)
O. Lyon (B)
Roma (E)
Valencia (C)
Marseille (F)
Copenhagen (D)
Pot 1 teams are paired with Pot 2 teams, and teams from the same country can not play each other. And now, the hopefuls:
Group A
1 Tottenham
The Spurs emphatically ended their first Champions League Group Stage in decades by taking first place in Group A. Coupled with holders Inter and a strong Bremen squad, Tottenham excitingly barreled, Gareth Bale style, to a place in the final 16. My only negative for Tottenham is how many goals they conceded (11 - other group winners gave up 6 at most). This could prove dangerous in two-legged play. Based on the seedings, I am hopeful of the North Londeners at very least getting to the Quarterfinals. Come on you Spurs!
2 Inter Milan
Inter lackadaisically waltzed through to the Round of 16 in a group which they should have easily taken first in. Their horror-show in Germany on the last day of group play and thumping at the hands of Tottenham proves the champions will not repeat. I would put $1m on them crashing out in the first round of the knockouts. All I can do is laugh a hearty, Romanista laugh. Sorry, Rafa.
Group B
1 Schalke 04
I love German teams that have numbers in their names, which is why I'm thrilled that Schalke 04 has progressed to the Round of 16. The club is inexplicably underachieving in the Bundesliga (10th), but had a positive string of results in the UCL to boost morale. The combination of summer signings Raúl and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have accounted for half the side's goals in UCL play. Even with their accomplishment, I don't think the Bundesliga side a big chance of making a run for the final this year. Group B was one of the weaker groups in the competition and the squad does not hold the pedigree of bigger clubs to see them through the coming pressure-filled matches.
2 Olympique Lyonnais
Barcelona (D)
Man Utd. (C)
Chelsea (F)
Bayern Munich (E)
Real Madrid (G)
Shakhtar Donetsk (H)
Tottenham (A)
Schalke 04 (B)
Pot 2 (Runners-up)
Arsenal (H)
Inter Milan (A)
AC Milan (G)
O. Lyon (B)
Roma (E)
Valencia (C)
Marseille (F)
Copenhagen (D)
Pot 1 teams are paired with Pot 2 teams, and teams from the same country can not play each other. And now, the hopefuls:
Group A
1 Tottenham
The Spurs emphatically ended their first Champions League Group Stage in decades by taking first place in Group A. Coupled with holders Inter and a strong Bremen squad, Tottenham excitingly barreled, Gareth Bale style, to a place in the final 16. My only negative for Tottenham is how many goals they conceded (11 - other group winners gave up 6 at most). This could prove dangerous in two-legged play. Based on the seedings, I am hopeful of the North Londeners at very least getting to the Quarterfinals. Come on you Spurs!
 |
| Bale leaving Maicon for dead (1 of 3,000) |
Inter lackadaisically waltzed through to the Round of 16 in a group which they should have easily taken first in. Their horror-show in Germany on the last day of group play and thumping at the hands of Tottenham proves the champions will not repeat. I would put $1m on them crashing out in the first round of the knockouts. All I can do is laugh a hearty, Romanista laugh. Sorry, Rafa.
Group B
1 Schalke 04
I love German teams that have numbers in their names, which is why I'm thrilled that Schalke 04 has progressed to the Round of 16. The club is inexplicably underachieving in the Bundesliga (10th), but had a positive string of results in the UCL to boost morale. The combination of summer signings Raúl and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have accounted for half the side's goals in UCL play. Even with their accomplishment, I don't think the Bundesliga side a big chance of making a run for the final this year. Group B was one of the weaker groups in the competition and the squad does not hold the pedigree of bigger clubs to see them through the coming pressure-filled matches.
2 Olympique Lyonnais
The once French powerhouse, Lyon, have qualified for the knockouts for an eighth consecutive year (impressive)! Though I felt they should have come out clear winners in this group, the Ligue 1 squad coasted through this simple group to second place. C'est la vie in the Round of 16.
Group C
1 Manchester United
United are making waves in the fabled European competition again, folks. With a stalwart defense (1 goal conceded) and the right results, the Red Devils went tops in tricky Group C. Sir Alex's men are a squad to fear in the Round of 16, with such tight defending and a workman-like ethic. Not to mention they are bound to get better as the year progresses. There is a good chance United will be vying for the title at Wembley in May.
 |
| Nemanja Vidic: defense is desire |
2 Valencia
David-less (Villa & Silva) Valencia coasted through Group C to a realistic runners-up spot. They won games they needed to versus Bursapor and Rangers, and held United to a draw in their last match. A nice campaign thus far for a team that lost it's favorite Davids this past summer.
Group D
1 Barcelona
The Catalan super-club made it into the knockout stage as group winners - what a surprise. Can you sense my sarcasm? There is no doubt that this tight-knit Spanish squad is destined, at the very least, for the quarterfinals. I don't think they require further analysis. Can you tell I hate Barcelona?
2 FC Copenhagen
What a delightful shocker! The minnows have progressed to become the first Danish team to reach the knockout round! No easy feat, considering their group mates were the aforementioned Spaniards and two lower-tier teams, Rubin Kazan and Panathinaikos, that I still consider better than Copenhagen. The lively Danes won the games they had to and recorded a sensational draw against Barca. These guys truly deserve the knockouts.
 |
| Denmark! |
Group E
1 Bayern Munich
One of the best competing teams so far, FC Hollywood qualified for the knockouts weeks before any other squad. They performed as expected in one of the easier groups of the competition. My question is: can they beat one or two of the big boys and get back to the final this year?
2 AS Roma
After shooting themselves in the foot, then playing good, then shooting themselves in the foot again, then playing good again, the Giallorossi finally emerged as knockout stage contestants. It has been a topsy-turvy campaign for Ranieri's men, but with some gusto and a vital smash and grab job against Munich at Olimpico, the Italians are in it to win it. If they bring the same fighting spirit they displayed against Bayern, there's no telling where this ever-so-progressing squad can go. I have a terrible feeling about the Roman's luck, though: we will draw Barcelona.
Group F
1 Chelsea
The Blues soared to the top spot in a very predictable group. Though their form has taken a dip of late, the Ancelotti led Londoners have a lot to look forward to. With Lampard coming back from injury and the squad preparing to kick it into champion-winning gear, I would not discount Chelsea from booking a trip to the final in May.
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| Friggin' baby |
2 Olympique Marseille
It's all happening so fast for the French champions! They went on to stun the country and win Ligue 1 last year and have now cruised into the Round of 16. In a crucial last game in which OM had to grab a point off of Chelsea, they went on to beat them! They are playing well and gaining major momentum. Marseille could make some waves in the knockouts.
Group G
1 Real Madrid
The most impressive team of the tournament so far, Madrid made being a group winner look easy. It did not matter for Mourinho's squad that they were in the hardest group of the competition, as they dispatched every team effortlessly, with the exception of a draw with Milan at San Siro. The galácticos are back. Led by Cristiano Ronaldo, who can't seem to stop scoring at the moment, this Madrid is poised to vie for the trophy. I believe Mourinho will be kissing hardware for a second straight year in May.
2 AC Milan
Given the difficulty of this group, it is an accomplishment for Milan to have progressed. But, the way they just scathed by, is worrisome. Earning just 8 points in 6 games, the Rossoneri were lucky to get into the Round of 16. Nonetheless, they are in and building momentum with each passing day. Could this be the year Ibra brings his team the trophy?
Group H
1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Arguably the biggest surprise of the UCL, the Ukrainian powerhouse spectacularly overcame Arsenal to win Group H. Hats off to Shakhtar for getting the job done. Luckily, they will avoid some tremendous squads in the first knockout stage and reach for the stars! Very exciting news for Ukrainian Football.
2 Arsenal
Dismal, incorrigible, embarrassing, unacceptable...those are some words Arsenal fans were using after their team's shocking losses to Braga and Shakhtar in the latter stages of group play. Arsene Wenger's squad dreadfully came second best in one of the weaker groups in the tournament. The fact that Arsenal is in the second drawing pot could be deadly for the Gunner's, as the potential for facing powerful teams is higher.
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| Ronaldo and Ozil celebrate |
Given the difficulty of this group, it is an accomplishment for Milan to have progressed. But, the way they just scathed by, is worrisome. Earning just 8 points in 6 games, the Rossoneri were lucky to get into the Round of 16. Nonetheless, they are in and building momentum with each passing day. Could this be the year Ibra brings his team the trophy?
Group H
1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Arguably the biggest surprise of the UCL, the Ukrainian powerhouse spectacularly overcame Arsenal to win Group H. Hats off to Shakhtar for getting the job done. Luckily, they will avoid some tremendous squads in the first knockout stage and reach for the stars! Very exciting news for Ukrainian Football.
2 Arsenal
Dismal, incorrigible, embarrassing, unacceptable...those are some words Arsenal fans were using after their team's shocking losses to Braga and Shakhtar in the latter stages of group play. Arsene Wenger's squad dreadfully came second best in one of the weaker groups in the tournament. The fact that Arsenal is in the second drawing pot could be deadly for the Gunner's, as the potential for facing powerful teams is higher.
 |
| Arsenal face-plant |
Stay tuned this Friday for UEFA's drawing. Let's hope FIFA doesn't show up and find some way to screw this thing up.
More to come re: UCL Round of 16 match-ups. I'm getting giddy just thinking about it. Adios, friends.
More to come re: UCL Round of 16 match-ups. I'm getting giddy just thinking about it. Adios, friends.
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