Thoughts on CL 2009/10

I know it's a bit premature since we still have to wait and see what happens in the transfer market over the summer, but....

I think Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool, Barca and probably Milan will be definite contenders.

Question marks over other teams.

Inter and Real Madrid are both big sides, but havn't got past the round of 16 in previous years. Will they finally make progress this year?

Arsenal are perhaps a little inexperienced and need a few key signings in some areas.

Juve still look a bit short of being realistic contenders for the CL.

Then there are other teams like Sevilla, Fiorentina, Porto etc. who could cause some upsets along the way, but i don't think will win it.

What's everyones thoughts?

Just seen Barce to win the Champs next season and Spain to win the World Cup is 40/1 on skybet.

Worth a few quid.

Too early to say...right now it's just a blind guess really, made easier by the fact that it's not hard to name a group of 6 or 7 clubs that are Europe's elite and will always be there or thereabouts.

why milan?

they lost his glory after the 2007 win, they got the players, but need new blood and a new coach who can give the team a new impulse, such a team performance like cl win 2007 is not always in a team, must be created new, and kaka atm is far away from his best

normally from starting 11 they should fight for the Seria a title closer than the reality


bayern with van gall and new fullback and attacking midfielder will be up there, but not with chelsea,manu, barca

liverpool on his day will always be hard to beat, but from qualitiy of players bayern can competete, but tactic wise bayern is miles below, now

On recent form/results I'd say Barca are probably the strongest team in Europe. I mean, they did just win the trophy...

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

Arsenal are perhaps a little inexperienced and need a few key signings in some areas.

We're basically the same side as the one that got to the semis but with Arshavin.

I think with a couple of defensive signings in the summer we could be contenders.

With our current squad + Arshavin though, I'd say we're contenders.

Amazed that anyone could put Milan in the same category as Man United, Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea at the moment.

I'd still imagine the winner would come from the 4 teams above.

Tweedle wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

Arsenal are perhaps a little inexperienced and need a few key signings in some areas.

We're basically the same side as the one that got to the semis but with Arshavin.

I think with a couple of defensive signings in the summer we could be contenders.

With our current squad + Arshavin though, I'd say we're contenders.

you played asrom, villareal to get into the semis, really not world beaters,

and get humiliated by manu

Parks lives wrote:Amazed that anyone could put Milan in the same category as Man United, Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea at the moment.

I'd still imagine the winner would come from the 4 teams above.

Probably true. I'm 80% confident the winner would be one of the four above.

Teams like Real (they'll spend another fortune this summer), Inter, Milan, Juventus, Arsenal and Bayern make up the other 25%.

Özil wrote:

Tweedle wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

Arsenal are perhaps a little inexperienced and need a few key signings in some areas.

We're basically the same side as the one that got to the semis but with Arshavin.

I think with a couple of defensive signings in the summer we could be contenders.

With our current squad + Arshavin though, I'd say we're contenders.

you played asrom, villareal to get into the semis, really not world beaters,

and get humiliated by manu

Doesn't really fit in with the point I'm trying to make. I think with Arshavin our chances will be much better next season. the guy is world class.

Tweedle wrote:

Parks lives wrote:Amazed that anyone could put Milan in the same category as Man United, Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea at the moment.

I'd still imagine the winner would come from the 4 teams above.

Probably true. I'm 80% confident the winner would be one of the four above.

Teams like Real (they'll spend another fortune this summer), Inter, Milan, Juventus, Arsenal and Bayern make up the other 25%.

Percentages.

Tweedle wrote:

Özil wrote:

Tweedle wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

Arsenal are perhaps a little inexperienced and need a few key signings in some areas.

We're basically the same side as the one that got to the semis but with Arshavin.

I think with a couple of defensive signings in the summer we could be contenders.

With our current squad + Arshavin though, I'd say we're contenders.

you played asrom, villareal to get into the semis, really not world beaters,

and get humiliated by manu

Doesn't really fit in with the point I'm trying to make. I think with Arshavin our chances will be much better next season. the guy is world class.

1-man team

What about all the hype with Fabregash & Walmart before he arrived?

Anyway Milan have the pedigree, they have the experience & of course, they have the match-winners. If they get a couple of younger dynamic players (like Pato) & a new 'keeper to add to that, then there's no reason why they can't threaten again.

Stimulus Package wrote:

Tweedle wrote:

Parks lives wrote:Amazed that anyone could put Milan in the same category as Man United, Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea at the moment.

I'd still imagine the winner would come from the 4 teams above.

Probably true. I'm 80% confident the winner would be one of the four above.

Teams like Real (they'll spend another fortune this summer), Inter, Milan, Juventus, Arsenal and Bayern make up the other 25%.

Percentages.

Tweedle wrote:

Özil wrote:

Tweedle wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

Arsenal are perhaps a little inexperienced and need a few key signings in some areas.

We're basically the same side as the one that got to the semis but with Arshavin.

I think with a couple of defensive signings in the summer we could be contenders.

With our current squad + Arshavin though, I'd say we're contenders.

you played asrom, villareal to get into the semis, really not world beaters,

and get humiliated by manu

Doesn't really fit in with the point I'm trying to make. I think with Arshavin our chances will be much better next season. the guy is world class.

he wont make a big difference, hes not a player who can decide a semifinal game, maybe a better leage player

Inieto'o wrote:1-man team

What about all the hype with Fabregash & Walmart before he arrived?

Anyway Milan have the pedigree, they have the experience & of course, they have the match-winners. If they get a couple of younger dynamic players (like Pato) & a new 'keeper to add to that, then there's no reason why they can't threaten again.

Not so much a one man team. He's got the x-factor though.

the greatest need though is more defensive stability. We can't hope of winning it with the current defensive options we have - we'll get raped by the likes of Utd and Barca.

Özil wrote:
he wont make a big difference, hes not a player who can decide a semifinal game, maybe a better leage player

Well he won Zenit the UEFA cup

I think Arshavin got underhyped after than Spain game. The Spanish team were phenomenal.

Milan's prospects depend on their manager. If they keep Ancelotti they have a chance, but if they bring in someone like Van Basten, then I won't be losing much sleep about them tbh.

Inter and Juve actually worry me. Mourinho seems to be making the right moves in terms of positions and quality in the transfer market, while cup-winning anti-football is to Juve what passing is to Barça.

@ kas

rumours are its Leonardo

So he could be a Pep or a Southgate

Wait and see I guess...

@ the people who question why i put Milan as favourites:

- They've proven before that they can win in Europe, even after being written off for being too old etc.
- They're style of play and players are suited to one off, big matches rather than a whole league season.
- Judging from the last few seasons, they seem to peak about the right time for the CL. Aslong as they get a decent draw in the round of 16, they will go far IMO.
- Nesta will be back (hopefully )

They're likely to have Adebayor too. And if he's motivated he'll be a valuable weapon for them.

Fiorentina ?

After all they are superior to Arsenal and Villarreal

Rosicky wrote:Fiorentina ?

After all they are superior to Arsenal and Villarreal

Apparently they're superior to villarreal and LEVEL with Arsenal.

Get it right rosicky

Fiorentina are still learning in the CL, whereas Villareal and Arsenal have a bit more experience.

They're also hampered by their poor seeding status.

I don't expect them to win it, just like i don't really expect Arsenal or Villareal to win it (looks like Villareal are unlikely to qualify anyway).

Both Arsenal and Fiorentina could meet in the qualifiers this year anyway. (obviously depends how their final match goes, hope they dont win by 2 goals, wouldnt fancy AC Milan tbh).