Arena "The Beautiful Game" - The Official JCC Football (Soccer) Thread.

We got the expected semi-finalists but the only team who didn't had any trouble with their quarter-finals was also the team who had the toughest opponent. Kind of hard to imagine Bayern Munich not winning this (not counting dodgy refereeing of course).

 

I think alot of that was that Juve were vastly overrated. Very well managaed side, but compare their front 4 to that of the 4 semifinalists. Nothing approaching the likes of Messi, Iniesta, Ronaldo, Özil, Robery, Robben, Müller, Götze or Reus. Very dependant on Prilo cutting open the opposition with his passing from deep. Don't even have someone like DiNatale on the national team.

 

So yankee, are you crossing your finger for an all German final on English soil?

 

Most certainly. Not so confident about Dortmund progressing, even if they play Madrid again -- they seem spent, espcially Reus, their lack of depth having really taken its toll. More than anything I'd like to see them against Barca in the semi, has the potential for the most open, offensive matches. I think Bayern would handle Real fairly easily, tbh.

 

TBH I think the only way for Real to get in the final is by drawing Barca.

Anyway Benfica are in semi-final, that was way to close for comfort. They were comfortably in control till that Newcastle goal completely changed the match I honestly though Newcastle would pull of a Dortmund by scoring the winning goal in the last minute but it was Benfica who scored instead.

*no nails left*

 

Adebayor penalty fail

 

Fenerbahce vs Benfica
Basel vs Chelsea

I'm really glad Benfica avoided Chelsea, here's hoping Basel pulls off another upset.

 

2nd best draw for Chelsea. Good to have the 2nd leg at home.

 

Bayern-Barca
Dortmund-Real.

Big question for Bayern is how well they cope without Mandzukic in the first leg.

 

I predict a Barca-Dortmund final

 

I was at the game last night. Was as you described, and the benfica goal came out of nowhere. Everyone just started clapping and then walked out. Game well and truly over.

 

I'm going for Dortmund vs Bayern.

 

Me too. i'd really like Bayern's chances if Mandzukic weren't suspended. Even still, I think they're more solid back to front than Barca. In a way, better to face them now, over two legs, rather than a one-off in the final where Messi could kill you with 1 or 2 bits of magic.

For the other semi, Dortmund match up very well against Real, a bit concerned about Dortmund's fitness, though, and I never like having to face the same team again in the group and knockout stages.

 

For some lunch time reading. I'm so jealous of that guy.

 

Awesome story.

 

Last year was glorious.

 

Go Dortmund.

Hearing some rumours of United having already paid an advance fee for Falcao, just like they did with De Gea. Another striker is definitely not what we need; I could only imagine this would be the end of Rooney.

 

I can't believe he'll be 28 this year. Next summer it will be 10 years since he's gotten a goal in an international tournament. lol

 

I'd rather we pay advanced fees for some midfielders

 

In addition to an all-German final, I'm rooting for Dortmund to then win it, snatching the treble from Bayern at the last, most painful moment. This causes Ulli Höness's big fat red head to explode, with Klopp, Reus and Götze dancing on the remains.

 

Wait, weren't Dortmund defending Bundesliga Champions going into this season's CL? Why would Munich laugh at a team they have lost out to for the last couple of seasons?

Chelsea were having a bad season when they won the CL and weren't defending league champions either, good reason for them to be mocked by other bigger European teams.

 

I fear a Barca/Madrid final has already been arranged.

EDIT: also, how is the final at Wembley again after such a short time? What the selection criteria?

 

He scored in Euro 2012.