CL Group F Thread - Man Utd - Roma - Sporting - D.Kyiv

Owen wrote:

Oleguerisntthatbad wrote:It is actually pretty pathetic..

The Copenhagen and Celtic losses in 06/07 were disgraceful, we thoroughly deserved to win both games. I am still shocked we didn't beat Celtic we were THAT dominant.

you didn't deserve the lille or benfica wins last year though so that evens it out

it's not a bad group... the same as with us.. if you don't lose the first game you'll go through comfortably

Sticking my neck out here, but I'd say it's harder than Liverpool's...

Parks lives wrote:Sticking my neck out here, but I'd say it's harder than Liverpool's...

Maybe a little bit, but there's not much in it.

Roma are a better side than Porto.

Sporting are a better side than Marseille.

& Kiev is a lot harder place to go to than Olympiakos.


Yeah, just a little bit.

Ours is not so difficult really. Maybe Doninha can return for the match

Parks lives wrote:Roma are a better side than Porto.

Would love to see a match between them because I think Porto would beat Roma.

I would say man utd havent had this good a chance of winning the CL in years.imo they are favourites along with Chelsea/Barcelona/Inter. they have covered their flaws in their start 11 allthough a injury in centre back might create trouble since i havent seen pique in england yet.

Parks lives wrote:Roma are a better side than Porto.

Sporting are a better side than Marseille.

& Kiev is a lot harder place to go to than Olympiakos.


Yeah, just a little bit.

Well, if you feel it's that obvious then you're surely not 'sticking your neck out' or so to speak?

supermadrid wrote:I would say man utd havent had this good a chance of winning the CL in years.imo they are favourites along with Chelsea/Barcelona/Inter. they have covered their flaws in their start 11 allthough a injury in centre back might create trouble since i havent seen pique in england yet.

Brown would be probably ahead of Pique to be honest, but yeah i agree with you

From the portuguese teams draws, I think this is by far the hardest group. It will be very difficult for Sporting to go through but not impossible.

They need to win all three home matches, if they do that they will go through by sneaking a point here or there.

I feel the Roma games will be difficult for United, I can not see Roma letting another 7 in, so dont count on a easy victory there.

Although i will predict Man Utd to go through as first place and then Roma and Sporting discussing between themselves who gets the other spot, although I'm afraid (for Portugal's sake) that Roma wil edge it.

Will see!!!

Disagree. Tevez has a wider range of skills and is as deadly if not more than Rooney. Give him time, it takes everyone some time to fit into a new system.

Crouching Tiger wrote:Come off it. Tevez is just a worse version of Rooney, where's the improvement there? You can't play two virtually identical players in the front line because they'll be easier for a good defence to deal with.

Hargreaves upsets the balance, and changes the way your team play. He may add steel, but he takes away creativity.

Anderson would have played by now if he was currently good enough, especially with your diabolical start to the season.

Bigger isn't always better. Fat people generally have higher cholesterol and die at a younger age.

Kas, you seriously under rate the romans... they still have the best starting XI in Italy**, and have considerably strengthed their squad players this summer. They are much better off than last season, as now their team will be able to cope with reasonable amount of injuries/suspensions.

IMO the ManU-Roma games will be more competitive than last season, as now they also have more experience of playing the CL... last season was the first CL experience for many of their players & their coach.

**unless Emerson delivers for Milan, then I think Milan would have the best starting lineup in italy...

kas wrote:

Parks lives wrote:Roma are a better side than Porto.

Would love to see a match between them because I think Porto would beat Roma.

bluenine wrote:Kas, you seriously under rate the romans... they still have the best starting XI in Italy**, and have considerably strengthed their squad players this summer. They are much better off than last season, as now their team will be able to cope with reasonable amount of injuries/suspensions.

IMO the ManU-Roma games will be more competitive than last season, as now they also have more experience of playing the CL... last season was the first CL experience for many of their players & their coach.

**unless Emerson delivers for Milan, then I think Milan would have the best starting lineup in italy...

kas wrote:

Parks lives wrote:Roma are a better side than Porto.

Would love to see a match between them because I think Porto would beat Roma.

No, I really rate Roma, but Porto are a very good side. They are champions of an always ignored and underrated league, and have some unbelievable players. Also, when I said Porto would beat Roma, I think it would be a very close match - not comfortable by any means.

Porto are very good, as are the other portuguese sides in teh CL - I have a lot of respect for them... just loved the way Sporting played last season!!

That said, the best portuguese team is still not as good as the best italian team. Roma could give anyone a run for their money. Porto could beat them, but if they played 10 times, Roma will definately beat them more times. And if Porto played in Serie A, I am definate that Roma would finish above them. Hell, I am really worried they will finish above us in Serie A!!

kas wrote:

bluenine wrote:Kas, you seriously under rate the romans... they still have the best starting XI in Italy**, and have considerably strengthed their squad players this summer. They are much better off than last season, as now their team will be able to cope with reasonable amount of injuries/suspensions.

IMO the ManU-Roma games will be more competitive than last season, as now they also have more experience of playing the CL... last season was the first CL experience for many of their players & their coach.

**unless Emerson delivers for Milan, then I think Milan would have the best starting lineup in italy...

kas wrote:

Parks lives wrote:Roma are a better side than Porto.

Would love to see a match between them because I think Porto would beat Roma.

No, I really rate Roma, but Porto are a very good side. They are champions of an always ignored and underrated league, and have some unbelievable players. Also, when I said Porto would beat Roma, I think it would be a very close match - not comfortable by any means.

I think Porto were stronger last year when they had Anderson and Pepe; unless they have signed some replacements on the cheap who are as good as the outgoing players. I think this season Roma are stronger than Porto; although we will only find out if their paths cross in this seasons CL.

I personally dont feel Roma are as strong as Milan or Inter, although they are currently playing better than both. Totti and De Rossi are outstanding players, but the rest of the team isnt at the level of the Milan giants.

The united vs Roma will be one of the best games in the group stages. I hope we have Rooney back for the game as he usually does well against Italian teams.

Not bothered by Roma. I put them in the same bracket as lyon. good attacking team. But very beatable.

I am not sure whether that comment comes from ignorance or bias, but I assure you its inaccurate (unfortunately).

Its inaccurate to single out De Rossi in a midfield which includes Perrotta, Mancini, Aquilani & Taddei, and midfield reserves which include Esposito, Guily and Pizzaro. That right there is not only the best midfield in Italy, but also the best midfield reserves.

If Emerson finds his old form, I would say that the milan starting midfield is better (Gattuso-Emerson-Pirlo-Seedorf-Kaka). But Roma will still have much better depth in reserves. And Roma's midfield is better quality than Inter's - you can't say thats a biased opinion coming from me!

Inter still have a better squad than Roma, but Roma have covered the gap there to a large extent this summer. Roma's biggest dependency remains no viable alternative for Totti, who is critical for their success. But then how do you replace someone like Totti, there just aren't too many players like that. Inter have a similar dependancy (albeit to a lessor extent) on Ibra, and Milan on Kaka.

In the CL, the thing which will work the most against Roma is the less experience they have in europe... the players and teh coach.

Rez wrote:I personally dont feel Roma are as strong as Milan or Inter, although they are currently playing better than both. Totti and De Rossi are outstanding players, but the rest of the team isnt at the level of the Milan giants.

bluenine wrote:I am not sure whether that comment comes from ignorance or bias, but I assure you its inaccurate (unfortunately).

Its inaccurate to single out De Rossi in a midfield which includes Perrotta, Mancini, Aquilani & Taddei, and midfield reserves which include Esposito, Guily and Pizzaro. That right there is not only the best midfield in Italy, but also the best midfield reserves.

If Emerson finds his old form, I would say that the milan starting midfield is better (Gattuso-Emerson-Pirlo-Seedorf-Kaka). But Roma will still have much better depth in reserves. And Roma's midfield is better quality than Inter's - you can't say thats a biased opinion coming from me!

Inter still have a better squad than Roma, but Roma have covered the gap there to a large extent this summer. Roma's biggest dependency remains no viable alternative for Totti, who is critical for their success. But then how do you replace someone like Totti, there just aren't too many players like that. Inter have a similar dependancy (albeit to a lessor extent) on Ibra, and Milan on Kaka.

In the CL, the thing which will work the most against Roma is the less experience they have in europe... the players and teh coach.

Rez wrote:I personally dont feel Roma are as strong as Milan or Inter, although they are currently playing better than both. Totti and De Rossi are outstanding players, but the rest of the team isnt at the level of the Milan giants.

I guess it's ignorance, I havent watched Roma that often, but they have never impressed me as much as Milan and Inter. But I guess maybe I dont watch them enough and I am wrong with my assesment if you rate them higher than Inters first team .

Based on my ignorance if I could combine all 3 teams this is what I would play;

-------------------Toldo--------------------

Zanetti-----Nesta-----Matrix-------Chivu

------------Pirlo----Cambiasso-----------

-----------------De Rossi-----------------

--------Totti---------------Kaka----------

-----------------Zlatan--------------------


I could only fit 2 Roma players in a combined team, that's why I dont feel the Roma team is as strong. However its not about individuals, but the team, so I guess they maybe greater than the sum of their parts.

bluenine wrote:I am not sure whether that comment comes from ignorance or bias, but I assure you its inaccurate (unfortunately).

Rez wrote:I personally dont feel Roma are as strong as Milan or Inter, although they are currently playing better than both. Totti and De Rossi are outstanding players, but the rest of the team isnt at the level of the Milan giants.

I am not sure whether the reply is bias or sheer arrogance that your opinion is gospal. For the record if that reserve midfield is the best reserve midfield in Italy, then Serie a really is struggling. The Milan team has Seedorf cl winner 4 times. Kaka possibly the worlds best. Ronaldo was the worlds best. Thats without Gattuso Pirlo Nesta. Roma have an average keeper. Alrightish defence. Good midfield and Totti. take Totti out and the team is really not looking so great.

Milan have a much better side and definitly will finish miles ahead of Roma in the league.

Sorry if it comes across as arrogance, its mostly a bit of frustation at ManU fans continiously under rating Roma with comments like "Totti and De Rossi are outstanding players, but the rest of the team isnt at the level of the Milan giants". Thats rubbish, coz the rest of the team certainly is.

We can debate whether Milan or Inter or Roma have the best starting line-up, its close, there is not much in it. I know Milan's starting players are good, you don't have to tell me, but are they beter than Roma's?? Seedorf may be a 4 time CL winner, but is he better than a Perotta at the mo?? I don't think so. Why don't you compare the starting line-ups of Milan and Roma one-on-one, you will realise how tough it is to call.

And I can't be biased in saying that Roma probbaly have a better starting lineup than Inter, coz i support Inter

As for the reserve midfield, if you look at the system Roma play, you will realise just how awesome their reserves are now. If I have to choose Inter's opponent for a game between Milan and Roma, I would rather Inter play Milan - we have a better chance of beating Milan.

L.r.d wrote:
I am not sure whether the reply is bias or sheer arrogance that your opinion is gospal. For the record if that reserve midfield is the best reserve midfield in Italy, then Serie a really is struggling. The Milan team has Seedorf cl winner 4 times. Kaka possibly the worlds best. Ronaldo was the worlds best. Thats without Gattuso Pirlo Nesta. Roma have an average keeper. Alrightish defence. Good midfield and Totti. take Totti out and the team is really not looking so great.

Milan have a much better side and definitly will finish miles ahead of Roma in the league.

bluenine wrote:Sorry if it comes across as arrogance, its mostly a bit of frustation at ManU fans continiously under rating Roma with comments like "Totti and De Rossi are outstanding players, but the rest of the team isnt at the level of the Milan giants".

Now who's being ignorant.

One person said that.

I was wondering just how long you will keep away from this WUM-magnet of an arguement...

One person said it this time, others have done so in the past - you should know that.

Parks lives wrote:

bluenine wrote:Sorry if it comes across as arrogance, its mostly a bit of frustation at ManU fans continiously under rating Roma with comments like "Totti and De Rossi are outstanding players, but the rest of the team isnt at the level of the Milan giants".

Now who's being ignorant.

One person said that.

bluenine wrote:I was wondering just how long you will keep away from this WUM-magnet of an arguement...

One person said it this time, others have done so in the past - you should know that.

Tweedle is not a Man United fan.

he is a closet ManU fan

Parks lives wrote:

bluenine wrote:I was wondering just how long you will keep away from this WUM-magnet of an arguement...

One person said it this time, others have done so in the past - you should know that.

Tweedle is not a Man United fan.

I think Milans starting midfield is better than Roma's but thats no disrespect to Roma since i rate Milans midfield as the best in Europe.

In terms of reserve midfielders, Milan have Brocchi, Ambrosini, Gourcuff while Roma have the likes of Barusso, Pizzaro, Taddei and Esposito. I'd say those are equally good. If Milan lose one of Kaka and Seedorf they would struggle while if Roma lost De Rossi or Perrotta then they would also struggle.

bluenine wrote:he is a closet ManU fan

Parks lives wrote:

bluenine wrote:I was wondering just how long you will keep away from this WUM-magnet of an arguement...

One person said it this time, others have done so in the past - you should know that.

Tweedle is not a Man United fan.

Everyone is they just dont know it yet

Mate I take your points about Roma, I am not underestimating them, I think we can win at home, but will probably lose in Rome.

We got tanked 3-0 last time we played Milan, so I would certainly rather play Roma. Now here is a plan, you take out Milan in the CL and we will take out Roma for you.

Deal. Get them out in the later stages like last time, not early... don't want them to start focussing on serie A

Rez wrote:Now here is a plan, you take out Milan in the CL and we will take out Roma for you.

It depends on which emerson turns out... if its the emerson of Juve-Roma days, then like I have said many times here before, I too rate Milan's midfield as the best in europe.

As far as the reserve midfield goes, Roma are better now... very good aquisitions in Guily, Esposito & Barusso.

BoBo Vieri wrote:I think Milans starting midfield is better than Roma's but thats no disrespect to Roma since i rate Milans midfield as the best in Europe.

In terms of reserve midfielders, Milan have Brocchi, Ambrosini, Gourcuff while Roma have the likes of Barusso, Pizzaro, Taddei and Esposito. I'd say those are equally good. If Milan lose one of Kaka and Seedorf they would struggle while if Roma lost De Rossi or Perrotta then they would also struggle.

Giuly is a starter

Its too early to say... Guily did start the first game, but thats coz Mancini was not available. We'll have to wait and watch whether he becomes a starter, tho I suspect that Spalletti plans to rotate all of his wingers a lot.

kas wrote:Giuly is a starter