Succulent Champions League draws

876

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.

Have you ordered your CQN Annual yet? Get it here!

[calameo code=000390171cc0c3617c8cc lang=en page=48 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

876 Comments
  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. ...
  4. 13
  5. 14
  6. 15
  7. 16
  8. 17
  9. 18
  10. 19
  11. ...
  12. 24

  1. Moby? Who said Moby? Gives me an excuse to link this, again…

     

     

    http://youtu.be/o5c69VJo7Mo

     

     

    petec, Elvis was predictable enough, sorry – what about music by a proper gospel choir, Soweto would be an obvious choice, or even the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?

  2. petec –

     

     

    I see from your last comment to me that you have jumped on the “dumb and dumber” bandwagon by dismissing my return to the Catholic church as a sham, all because I dared to ask you a couple of genuine questions.

     

     

    The Brisbane Stalker has already decided I am going to Hell. Canamalar thinks I am the devil incarnate. Now you too presume to judge me on behalf of your God.

     

     

    How blessed I am that none of your opinions are the ones that matter.

     

     

    TBS –

     

     

    Just to pre-empt your next post. Tomorrow afternoon after 10 o’clock mass. Got it? Good.

  3. The way the Celtic management team went in to the qualifying rounds thinking, is the way forward. Juventus, yes good they are,Great they are not.

     

     

    In the beginning we had everything to gain,and not a lot to lose.

     

     

    Defensive is the way forward.

     

     

    As P67 says last week ,(unless sammi keeps up his away masterclass) practise penalty kicks until the cows come home home.

     

     

    0-0 home,0-0 away ,& leave it to the luck of the gods

     

     

    50/1 to reach the Final

     

     

    wemberlaayyy :)

     

     

    Haill Hail

  4. FFS,

     

     

    okay. The coolest JB ever, versus the most beautiful Bond burd ever.

     

     

    It’s a no brainer.

     

     

    These two class acts win it all over.

     

     

    Tis true ya muppets !!! George Lazenby and Diana Rigg. Special.

  5. Tom McLaughlin

     

     

    Who am I to judge anyone?

     

     

    If you think I have, all I can do is say sorry for anything that made you think I’d ever do that.

     

     

    HH Tom

     

     

    Post one of your brilliant Celtic stories, it will make us all happier, especially yourself.

  6. Tom McLaughlin

     

     

    23:47 on 21 December, 2012

     

     

    petec –

     

     

    One more question. How do you reconcile your Christian beliefs with your Pagan beliefs?

     

     

    Just wondered.

     

    ________________________________________________________________________

     

     

    Here have a wee track to soothe things.

     

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZcL5y_HStM

  7. jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/ on

    Emdae know what a Shockwave Flash has crashed is abt? Got it across the top of my screen there.

  8. anditsthepoleagain

     

     

    Van the man,what a voice,

     

     

    Bob’s christmas song,..was listening to that earlier,

     

    great stuff.

  9. Tom, if other peoples opinions don’t matter, then don’t try to defend or justify yourself. Be the change you want to see in yourself, in the world, or at least on this site.

     

     

    “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

     

     

    If I’m anything I’m an open-minded atheist. I like the term “lapsed Catholic” as that suggests temporary – like you, I may return to the church, or return to God through another road. But a lot of what I learned in and from the Bible has stuck with me; I just don’t think I/we as a species need to believe in any god to live in a good way. But if you do believe in God and Christ, then try your best to follow his words.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. ...
  4. 13
  5. 14
  6. 15
  7. 16
  8. 17
  9. 18
  10. 19
  11. ...
  12. 24