English Premier League

[dauls]

The Premier League Clubs' chairmen have decided not to pursue a four team play-off for the 4th Champions League qualification place. The idea was scrapped mainly due to time constraints within the football calendar, especially in World Cup and European Championship years.

But a much stronger argument to stop any plan for play-off should have been; the teams that finish in the top 4 after 38 games deserve to play in the Champions League. Those 38 games are surely a good enough play-off, there is no need to play extra games to determine who qualifies.

However I'm sure the stupid idea of play-offs for a 4th Champions League qualification place, will be recycled at some time in the future.

[JenniferParisFan]

Originally Posted by dauls

The Premier League Clubs' chairmen have decided not to pursue a four team play-off for the 4th Champions League qualification place. The idea was scrapped mainly due to time constraints within the football calendar, especially in World Cup and European Championship years.

But a much stronger argument to stop any plan for play-off should have been; the teams that finish in the top 4 after 38 games deserve to play in the Champions League. Those 38 games are surely a good enough play-off, there is no need to play extra games to determine who qualifies.

However I'm sure the stupid idea of play-offs for a 4th Champions League qualification place, will be recycled at some time in the future.

Well thats good, I recently read an article that they were thinking of getting rid of the offsides rule, but I'm sure its complete hogwash.

[JenniferParisFan]

How about this weekend in the Champions League? First Arsenal destroys Porto 5-0, and Bayern loses to Fiorentina 3-2 but make it to the next round thanks to a wonderful Robben goal. Then Man U beats AC Milan 4-0 and Rooney gets a brace, and then in probably the most shocking upsest of the Champions league so far Lyon ties Real Madrid 1-1 and knock Real out of the tournament. Looks like all that money in summer transfers still doesn't guarantee you a Champions League final.

[dauls]

Originally Posted by JenniferParisFan

How about this weekend in the Champions League? First Arsenal destroys Porto 5-0, and Bayern loses to Fiorentina 3-2 but make it to the next round thanks to a wonderful Robben goal. Then Man U beats AC Milan 4-0 and Rooney gets a brace, and then in probably the most shocking upsest of the Champions league so far Lyon ties Real Madrid 1-1 and knock Real out of the tournament. Looks like all that money in summer transfers still doesn't guarantee you a Champions League final.

I didn't see the Arsenal game, but the result surprised me. I thought the second leg would be a lot closer, but for once Bendtner converted some of his chances, unlike the previous weekend against Burnley when he missed at least three really good ones.

Last night AC Milan were disappointing. Before Man U scored their first goal, Milan had a couple of chances, before Rooney scored his first goal against the run of play. Milan only looked like scoring again once Beckham came on as a sub.

I don't think Lyon beating Real Madrid is as big a shock as people are thinking. Lyon won the French title 7 consecutive seasons before missing out in 2008/09 and they are in the top 4 again this season. They played a really good 1st leg and last night managed to stay in the game before scoring the all important away goal. Real Madrid may have spent 200M Euros on players last summer, but they failed to spend enough on their defence, and if Lyon hadn't beaten them I'm sure Man U, Bayern or one of the other top European sides would have found their way through the Madrid defence.

[JenniferParisFan]

Originally Posted by dauls

I didn't see the Arsenal game, but the result surprised me. I thought the second leg would be a lot closer, but for once Bendtner converted some of his chances, unlike the previous weekend against Burnley when he missed at least three really good ones.

Last night AC Milan were disappointing. Before Man U scored their first goal, Milan had a couple of chances, before Rooney scored his first goal against the run of play. Milan only looked like scoring again once Beckham came on as a sub.

I don't think Lyon beating Real Madrid is as big a shock as people are thinking. Lyon won the French title 7 consecutive seasons before missing out in 2008/09 and they are in the top 4 again this season. They played a really good 1st leg and last night managed to stay in the game before scoring the all important away goal. Real Madrid may have spent 200M Euros on players last summer, but they failed to spend enough on their defence, and if Lyon hadn't beaten them I'm sure Man U, Bayern or one of the other top European sides would have found their way through the Madrid defence.

The Arsenal game was great, for us atleast, Nasri and Arshavin couldn't be stopped and as you noted Bendtner finally remembered that he's supposed to shoot inside the post if he wants to score.

I missed the Man U-AC Milan game, I was personally more surprised by that score than any of the others. I had a feeling Arsenal was going to win big, ever since the Stoke game and Ramsey's injury they've been playing with a real purpose and determination and the Burnley game should have ended 5-1 if not more. I'm getting this feeling that they're going to win something this year, but I think the Premier League is much more likely than the Champions League.

Lyon are actually my 3rd favorite team after Arsenal and Barcelona but I don't get to see them play very much here in America. They did lose both Juninho and Benzema this season, so to see them take down a team as talented as Real Madrid was definately shocking to me. I hope they keep playing well.

Can't wait to see the Chelsea-Inter game at Stamford. Hopefully Inter don't play too cautiously and atleast try to make it an interesting game.

[dauls]

Originally Posted by JenniferParisFan

And since Arsenal has to go up against UEFA's golden boys Barcelona I wouldn't be surprised if there's more than just a few bad decisions that go against us.

I'm sure you want revenge against Barcelona for the 2-1 defeat in the 2006 Final when Arsenal had Jens Lehmann harshly sent off early in the first half. That was a bad mistake by the referee.

That set a precedent for bad refereeing decisions in favour of Barcelona. You'll have to hope UEFA tell their referees to abide by the fair plays rules in the quarter-final.

[JenniferParisFan]

Originally Posted by dauls

I'm sure you want revenge against Barcelona for the 2-1 defeat in the 2006 Final when Arsenal had Jens Lehmann harshly sent off early in the first half. That was a bad mistake by the referee.

That set a precedent for bad refereeing decisions in favour of Barcelona. You'll have to hope UEFA tell their referees to abide by the fair plays rules in the quarter-final.

As much as I hope and pray for an entirely fair game that is unaffected by the ref it's probably never going to happen, so since Arsenal will prolly lose because of some bull call the I'm just going to root for Lyon (or Bordaeux) to win, and I'll have Bayern as my #2 just because I have a lot of Bayern fans for friends.