A quick glance at the eight Champions League groups indicate that three were won by German clubs, indicating the strength of the Bundesliga at the moment, but although Shalke topped their group ahead of Arsenal, they are toiling in seventh place domestically and sacked manager, Hubb Stevens, this week. Bayern Munich are nine points clear at the top with Borussia Dortmund third.
Shalke would be an excellent draw.
Paris Saint-Germain were flooded with cash this year and despite a slow start are no top of Ligue 1. We met their manager, Carlo Ancelotti at the same stage of the tournament six years ago when Gordon Strachan took Milan to extra time. We came close to progressing and perhaps would have had the referee awarded Celtic a late penalty for handball. Milan got the breaks against Celtic and went on to win the tournament.
Ancelotti knows he would face a stiff test if drawn against Celtic.
Juventus are Italian champions and sei seven points clear at the top of Serie A. They eliminated the tournament holders in the last round and are a formidable opponent.
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Malaga are fourth in La Liga behind Barca, Atletico and Real Madrid. They are clearly not in the class of Barcelona but any team within five points of Real in that league are clearly formidable. Malaga breezed their Champions League group but a draw against un-fancied Celtic might present them with a few interesting challenges.
Manchester United are top of the English league and hot favourites to retain the title. Games against English opposition tend to be hyped by the UK media but for fans lack the sophistication of a ‘foreign’ opponent. They would present a difficult challenge without the sense of adventure others would provide.
Shalke or Malaga would be ideal but Paris in the springtime would be nice.
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Juve’s main defender Chiellini is out injured for the next 2 months at least. With them cancelling Lucio’s contract and him signing for Sao Paolo, they are short of cover at the back
Delighted with that draw. Of course Juve are a terrific team, and we are by some distance 2nd favourites in the tie, but we have some unfinished business with them.
Great stuff. I look forward to us settling our account with La Vecchia Signora.
PL on Sky now
tomtheleedstim
10:56 on 20 December, 2012
Anyone know whether it’s a safe trip or not?
I’ve heard bad things about footy trips to Italy, regardless of whether you’re looking for it or not.
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Their fans have a bit of a bad reputation. That’s the only thing that would make me think twice about going. Tickets for Celtic end would be essential.
Thanks to all for info.
Might have to do Turin in style to avoid mrs. miki getting her fingernails broken by Italian neds.
: > )
2 mouthwatering ties Real v Man U and Arsenal v Bayern
They have Buffon, Barzagli, Chiellini, Bonucci, Pirlo, Marchisio Quagliarella and Giovinco from Italy
They have Isla and Vidal from Chile, Caceres from Argentina and Vucinic from Montenegro.
They have Swiss, Ghanaian and Danish Internationals in their squad.
And they are going to be looking down their noses at Tony Watt, Scott Brown, Kelvin Wilson and Kris Commons.
If we get a strong ref we can do something here, hard though it will be.
Morning all
Looking forward to seeing Pirlo and Buffon and am well aware that they have the pace and skill to give us a real tough time . But their record in the UK is pretty mixed and I’ve a hunch that they might not relish Celtic Park when they actually get there despite their bullish comments pre-draw. We have beaten better teams than Juventus
I cannae wait.
H x 2
tommybhoy1967
Not as mouthwatering as Celtic v Juve.
Who cares what the debt ridden EPL got.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon tells Sky Sports News: “In terms of glamour it is great. In terms of qualification it is going to be very tough. But we will take it as it comes and our supporters will be looking forward to this match. Juventus are littered with world-class stars and they have been very consistent over the last 18 months. But coming through the group as impressively as we did, and you never know where you are going to be in a few months time. This club is built on the legends of Jock Stein and the Lisbon Lions, this team is reaching those same heights again. They have belief in themselves and have been playing very well away from home.”
Thats the flights booked for Manchester, what a deal I got
vmhan
10:51 on 20 December, 2012
In the eufa dry run yesterday we got Juve and arsenal got bayern, it almost looks like a fix, surely not.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
During the draw programme they said today’s draw was exactly the same as yesterday’s dry run, so fix ……just one helluva coincidence ……. What odds would we have got on that happening …..LOL ……VERY pleased with Juve….