Champion's League 2014

[Richard_H]

A - Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Olympiakos, Malmo
B - Real Madrid, Basel, Liverpool, Ludogrets
C - Benfica, Zenit, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco,
D - Arsenal, Borrussia Dortmund, Galatasary, Anderlecht
E - Bayern Munich, Man City, CSKA Moscow, AS Roma
F - Barcelona, Paris S-G, Ajax, Apoel Nicosia
G - Chelsea, Schalke, Sporting Lisbon, Maribor
H - Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Athletic Bilbao, Bate Borisov


Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea seem ok. Man City though :?
Can't see Man Utd? :twisted:

 

[itfciain]

Man City always seem to pick up a bit of a stinker - obviously not paying enough for 'hot balls'

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Pretty glad we arent involved at the moment we would get embarrassed in Midfield and at the back

Yes think City will have a task qualifying from that group! The other British teams should be fine!

 

[plantman]

Liverpool got a good chance of getting out of that I think

 

[weasel]

Pool got a great group. Real will beat us, but Basel are beatable and that other team are as weak as you'll get in CL terms.

City got dumped on there. They seem to get tough draws every time.

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Interesting article this.

I know its the Daily Snail BUT he does make some valid points - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2737164/Champions-League-draw-tedious-bent-travesty-rewards-mediocre-old-guard-instead-domestic-champions.html

What do you think?

 

[Richard_H]

I'd be happy chucking all teams in a pot like the FA cup and you get what you get. 4 random teams.

 

[weasel]

Its tricky.

Firstly, it's not gonna change, the big clubs hold the levers of power and they sure as **** aint gonna risk losing a massive source of income. But your man is right, the group stage is dull. Look at the 8 groups, i'd be fairly confident i could predict the two qualifiers in at least 5 of them now. Realistically, probably more than 5. A few of them you can predict the order the teams will finish in, they are that monotonous.

It's all about money and UEFA wont act until tv audiences start to fall, and lets be honest us fans will keep watching, if only cos the alternative is letting the missus watch Corrie!

As far as changing it goes, i'd be happy enough to see an open draw and or removal of country protection.
It is a farce when City win the league and go in pot 2 while Arsenal who came fourth waltz into pot one. Ditto Basel being in pot two and Roma being in pot 4.

Then again would a CL final between say, Bayern and Malmo be worth watching? Sure, novelty value it would b nice to see new side make the final, and we'd all be cheering on Malmo, but i just get flash backs to the Utd vs Milwall FAC Final where Milwall played to keep the score down from the first whistle. Im sure that was nice for Utd fans as they knew they were gonna win it, but from a neutrals point of view it was a cake walk.

Not sure what the best solution is. Given how UEFA have ruined what was once a superb competition in the UEFA cup, i doubt they'll improve it even if they do decide to change it.

 

[Richard_H]

UEFA have announced that seeding will be changed next year. No details yet.

 

[weasel]

I'm not gonna hold my breath for anything that'll be more than cosmetic.

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Its tricky.
Then again would a CL final between say, Bayern and Malmo be worth watching? Sure, novelty value it would b nice to see new side make the final, and we'd all be cheering on Malmo, but i just get flash backs to the Utd vs Milwall FAC Final where Milwall played to keep the score down from the first whistle. Im sure that was nice for Utd fans as they knew they were gonna win it, but from a neutrals point of view it was a cake walk.

i know what your saying Weaz. Just look at the recent league cup finals! I mean Swansea v Bradford?!

Good to hear Rich although I too dont hold out any hope :roll: