Succulent Champions League draws

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There were some tasty, some would say succulent, draws in the Champions League yesterday.  Milan-Barcelona have both won the tournament within the last decade, and although Milan are at the bottom of the trough at the moment, this tie will be a huge attraction for those of us who like our football tinged with history.

Real Madrid will travel to Manchester for the second time this season as both teams look to reclaim former European eminence.  Porto-Malaga is not one that sets pulses racing but it is a token of an often-discussed concept at this level.  Malaga are a fine side but are new to the competition, Porto come from a less-illustrious league but are steeped in Champions League heritage.  Do you need to learn how to play in this tournament or were UK TV commentators making excuses for the failure of the English champions? Not sure but I fancy Porto to progress.

Arsenal have the daunting prospect of Bayern Munich.  The German champions are clear at the top of the league which produced three group stage winners.  They are also still self-flagellating after dropping the ball against English opposition in May.  Beating Arsenal will not mend those wounds but it will be an absolute must for Bayern.

I watched a bit of Shakhtar Donetsk during the group stage; they are a very skilful team.  Borussia Dortmund will not enjoy their trip to Ukraine, I expect Shakhtar to progress.

Valencia are not enjoying the best of seasons but although Paris Saint Germain are now top of Ligue 1 I think they are set for a fall in the Champions League.  PSG may have enough to get past Valencia but if we make it to the quarters I would be happy to face them.

Galatasaray sit alongside Celtic as rank outsiders at the bookmakers, never a bad place to lurk at this stage of the competition.  Schalke are tighter odds than Milan (7th in Serie A) and Valencia (11th in La Liga) perhaps because of the ‘kind’ draw.  There will be at least one team in the quarter finals we would fancy our chances with.

The immediate challenge for Neil Lennon is to keep his players’ focus on tomorrow’s game against Ross County.  It took an injury time equaliser to earn a point for Celtic against County earlier in the season, so nothing can be taken for granted.

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  1. Majestic Hartson

     

     

    Glad to be able help to help. Let me know if you have a problem finding the CSC and I will get the info for you.

     

     

    Enjoy Cape Town…I believe it is a beautiful place.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  2. Gordon64

     

     

    There was a great BBC documentary about Jools last weekend, which covered how Squeeze got together, great little band!

  3. Fortunes Favour Mibbes,

     

     

    am sure you know more than me. Just rate him a terrific musician, not a hero of mine – if he’s a flawed talent, well I guess he’ll not be the last…

     

     

    Matt McGinn made me think of Frankie Vaughan…

     

     

    who had a hit with ‘Abide with Me’…

     

     

    which made me think of wem-ber-lee, wem-ber-lee…:)

     

     

    HH

  4. That bit of music,

     

     

    It starts with the joy of music….then quickly changes to reflect the pleading of a young 16 year old girl, trying to calm the fears of her mother who is watching her suffer.

     

     

    They both pray to God and to each other.

     

     

    And us uncles/ fathers/ grandads……helpless.

     

     

    This kind of mentality has always been lingering around like a bad smell.

     

     

    It’s still there. FFS, that’s the hard bit to believe >:((((

  5. “The purpose of satire, it has been rightly said, is to strip off the veneer of comforting illusion and cosy half-truth. And our job, as I see it, is to put it back again.” – Flanders and Swann.

  6. ok! That proves it then…the Green Brigade are just wee boys who go to bed early…will try again tomorrow…

  7. TootingTim

     

     

    Aye, I know enough to say don’t take him at his word, and I don’t say that lightly :((

     

     

    But fair play, if you enjoy what he sings :))))

     

     

    I’ve got more time for your temporal developments…….

     

     

    Al;though, have to be honest, if you quote that fecker Van “da” man, or one of his patsies, I will be a tad disgusted !!! :))))

  8. weebobbycollins

     

     

    It might be the Green Brigade’s Christmas night out tonight, if they are out it won’t be hard to find them, just look out for the massive surveillance operation.

  9. weebobbycollins

     

     

    I have no idea if they are all out tonight, if they are, likewise as you say, I hope they all get home safely.

     

     

    Tomorrow might see the political Police Force doing their best to upset the heartbeat of Neil Lennon’s Celtic.

  10. Damn the Pelvis sounds good!

     

     

    There is a great (IMHO!) house/balearic version of Gaudete, never been able to find it on youtube…ah well, maybe that’s for the best…:)

     

     

    This’ll do instead…Future Sound of London soon to be superceded by super Celtic songs…?

     

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAvHjoLxxh8

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