2011/12 UEFA Champions League group stage Group A FC Bayern München (GER) Villarreal CF (ESP) Manchester City FC (ENG) SSC Napoli (ITA) Group B FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS) LOSC Lille Métropole (FRA) Trabzonspor AŞ (TUR) Group C Manchester United FC (ENG) SL Benfica (POR) FC Basel 1893 (SUI) FC Oţelul Galaţi (ROU) Group D Real Madrid CF (ESP) Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) AFC Ajax (NED) GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) Group E Chelsea FC (ENG) Valencia CF (ESP) Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) KRC Genk (BEL) Group F Arsenal FC (ENG) Olympique de Marseille (FRA) Olympiacos FC (GRE) Borussia Dortmund (GER) Group G FC Porto (POR) FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) FC Zenit St Petersburg (RUS) APOEL FC (CYP) Group H FC Barcelona (ESP) AC Milan (ITA) FC BATE Borisov (BLR) FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE) http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1667741.html#barcelona+milan+group+stage+draw
its expected from a top team, but things get more exciting past the group st ages, i wonder how the gooners will do with cesc n nasri gone
Man City giving it a go with this team should be interesting, they have looked outstanding in their first two. DD
they have spent big $$, on paper they do have an excellent squad they should get past the round of 16
They will not score easily and will give up goals easily. Even with Cesc and Nasri the defense was garbage. Good new young goalkeeper though. Wake me up when Barca are back in the quarterfinals.
I'm guessing you meant even w/the talents of Cesc and Nasri in mf, their defence was still a mess.(Since we know Cesc and Samir had no part in the back four issues the past few seasons). They need another keeper to challenge Szczesny. If I were an Arsenal fan, I'd be saying prayers that Szczesny stays healthy all season because if not it's Almunia or Fabianski time. They need back four help badly. They need an influx of talent in midfield to replace Cesc and Samir. They need a striker that can actually sort out balls that arrive in the box. They need a whole lot. I hope Barca lose in the QF's.
Also, let's all laugh at Man. City:grin::grin::grin: Hopefully Bayern, Napoli and Villareal sort them out. Scum side!
If you are an Arsenal fan you better hope Barca wins La Liga and another CL trophy or you'll never see that incentive money for Cesc.
wonder how they will handle their squads as they'll want to grasp any trophy this year, this type of situation will be new to them
Why were Borussia Dortmund a 4th seed when they won the Bundesliga last season? It will be interesting to see how the talent comes together at Manchester City. They have too much class to lose in the group stage even if their chemistry isn't great. Nasri and Silva on the wings with Dzeko, Kun and Tevez up front... not to mention they're the deepest team in Europe, are you kidding me? Arsenal need 1 CD, a couple of attacking midfielders and they'll be fine. Their wage structure issues are turning them into a feeder club - the new rule is adapt to the high end market or be left behind. Mata and Hazard would've been perfect replacements.
1) City aren't the deepest team in Europe. I think there are two teams in Spain and a few teams in Milan that would disagree, rightfully so, with your statement. 2) Arsenal need TWO CB's.(One to partner with TV5 and one for cover. I wouldn't trust Kos or Djourou as my backup CB's and unfortunately Kos is starting) I know some Arsenal fans wanted Mata but Mata is not what they need in the center. Hazard would be solid and fit in proper. They need a striker. IIRC they have one legitimate striker(since Voyeur prefers not to play Chamakh) and Bendtner is Bendtner.
hope they dont win any, im glad united took away the community shield, mike summerbee just gives me a headache each time he speaks about man ****ty
I didn't miss it, I just wanted to point that out to any Arsenal fans. You are dead on about Real and Barca having the most talent off the bench too. Thiago, Cesc, Sanchez, Masche, Kieta and Adriano. We have a EPL top 4 captain on our bench!
LIke last year when Man U had to fight past a mid table place german team in the semis...woohoo! seeding!