Champions League Wk 6

[Chazza]

Group Winners Confirmed
Arsenal
Chelsea
Barca
Apoel Nicosia
Madrid
Bayern Munich
Inter Milan

Runners Up Confirmed
Marseille
Bayer Leverkusen
Zenit St P'sbg
AC Milan

Whats the betting that if Utd come 2nd they will get Apoel?

[Baracus]

Group Winners Confirmed
Arsenal
Chelsea
Barca
Apoel Nicosia
Madrid
Bayern Munich
Inter Milan

Runners Up Confirmed
Marseille
Bayer Leverkusen
Zenit St P'sbg
AC Milan

Whats the betting that if Utd come 2nd they will get Apoel?

1/7 Since they can not draw the team they have played in the group stages but according to UEFA gospel its 100% certainty. Utd will be a match for all those teams bar, Munich, Madrid and Barca come Feb 2012

[BringbackBiscan]

Can they draw the English sides?

[Baracus]

Yes

[Chazza]

Knockout phase
From the last 16 until the semi-finals, clubs play two matches against each other on a home-and-away basis with the same rules as the qualifying and play-off rounds applied. In the last 16, group winners play runners-up other than teams from their own pool or nation, while from the quarter-finals on the draw is free.

[BringbackBiscan]

Thought they couldn't for some reason. Less chance of getting the bye that is Apoel then, in theory at least.

[Baracus]

I believe they removed country protection a couple years back. Thats why we faced Chelsea in group stages, Arsenal in the 2nd round a couple years back etc.

[ChesterDave]

Country protection until 1/4 finals isnt it?

[Chazza]

I believe they removed country protection a couple years back. Thats why we faced Chelsea in group stages, Arsenal in the 2nd round a couple years back etc.

I thought the same but the Uefa website says otherwise

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionslea...ngs/index.html

[ChesterDave]

I should really update threads I've had open a while before submitting a reply.

[ChesterDave]

edit: Im being an idiot tonight

[Chazza]

edit: Im being an idiot tonight

I get ya Dave

[Craig_H]

Yes

No they cannot.

Knockout phase
From the last 16 until the semi-finals, clubs play two matches against each other on a home-and-away basis with the same rules as the qualifying and play-off rounds applied. In the last 16, group winners play runners-up other than teams from their own pool or nation, while from the quarter-finals on the draw is free.

[Baracus]

opps.

I was thinking we played Arsenal in the last 16 a while back it was actually 1/4 finals.

So mancs have a 1 in 5 chance of playing the ****e team.

Betting on both Mancs teams to go out tomorrow then

[Vermilion]

Sounds as though AVB is making a rod for his own back, what did he say last night, something about a slap in the face for the media doubters ?

If your going to be making statements like that, you better make sure you win, win, win, and keep winning.

Here he is.... Sounds a bit fragile.

AVB claims media persecution.

In the wake of progressing to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, Andre Villas-Boas launched a scathing attack on the media for what he perceives as an 'out of this world' persecution of Chelsea.

In his post-match press conference following Tuesday's win over Valencia, the Stamford Bridge manager claimed his side are the subject of 'continuous aggressiveness' from reporters.

Chelsea booked a place in the knockout stages with a 3-0 victory which also ensured they won Group E and Villas-Boas had already described the result as a 'slap in the face' to critics.

But the 34-year-old, whose position as boss has been questioned, continued to rant in the wake of the match and claimed Premier League leaders Manchester City have an easy ride in comparison to Chelsea.

"This is continuous persecution of Chelsea. Continuous aggressiveness towards one club. We have become your target, we accept that."
Andre Villas-Boas Quotes of the week

Villas-Boas' team could have been knocked out of the Champions League had results not gone their way on Tuesday night and the Portuguese thinks City have been let off lightly given the fact they too are facing elimination going into their final group match.

"I hope they qualify, sincerely," said Villas-Boas, who is now preparing to host Premier League leaders City at Stamford Bridge next Monday and had previously accused the media of a premeditated agenda in Saturday's win at Newcastle.
Brilliant

"But the approach to Manchester City is basically, 'if they qualify, they qualify. If they don't qualify, they don't qualify'. We don't get that margin, basically, from you guys (the media).

"I will never criticise your editorial choices, but it is a reality. People take a perspective that is out of this world.

"We see a Manchester United defender (Gary Neville) today say in the preparations for the game and says things like, 'I don't want to be one of the Chelsea players today', 'I couldn't play this game' and 'It is a difficult game for them'.

"This is out of this world, for me. I don't believe this.

"This is continuous persecution of Chelsea. Continuous aggressiveness towards one club. We have become your target, we accept that.

"But you have to accept that today was a brilliant win. And tomorrow, it is unfortunate for you guys, because you have to report on a brilliant win for Chelsea and qualifying first.

"It is difficult for everybody and tomorrow is difficult for you guys."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,20876_7356824,0.html